Using Cognitive Task Analysis to Develop Scenario-Based Training for House-Clearing Teams

摘要

Increased urbanization has created a rise in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), in which units find themselves operating in cities rather than on traditional, uninhabited battlefields. MOUT presents a uniquely challenging environment to soldiers and leaders. Beyond challenging basic tactical skills, these environments call on personnel to make faster, more advanced decisions based on a multitude of environmental information. It is important for personnel to develop decision-making skills required for house- clearing operations that can be applied to different environments. The aim of this project was to provide program requirements to understand and train the recognition of perceptual cues used to diagnose events and coordinate actions during house-clearing missions. A cognitive task analysis (CTA) was employed to identify the critical cues house-clearing teams use to assess their environment and establish shared situational awareness. A critical cue inventory was developed, based on which recommendations were provided on how to integrate critical cues into effective training simulations. Our findings revealed that the perceptual cues experts use to diagnose house-clearing events and coordinate actions cluster into four categories: threat assessment, environmental assessment, situational assessment, and team assessment. Experts in house-clearing operations balance the rapid reception and interpretation of these cues without being overwhelmed by them. The findings will be used to identify the critical cues and information Canadian Forces rely upon to operate in urban-based missions.