Complex Collaborative Problem-Solving Processes in Mission Control

    Authors

    S. M. Fiore; T. J. Wiltshire; J. M. Oglesby; W. S. O'Keefe;E. Salas

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Aviat. Space Environ. Med.

    Keywords

    collaborative problem solving; distributed teams; macrocognition in; teams; mission control; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Medicine, General &; Internal; Sport Sciences

    Abstract

    Introduction: NASA's Mission Control Center (MCC) is responsible for control of the International Space Station (ISS), which includes responding in problems that obstruct the functioning of the ISS and that may pose a threat to the health and well-being of the flight crew. These problems are often complex, requiring individuals, teams, and multiteam systems, to work collaboratively. Research is warranted to examine individual and collaborative problem-solving processes in this context. Specifically, focus is placed on how Mission Control personnel each with their own skills and responsibilities exchange information to gain a shared understanding of the problem. The Macrocognition in Teams Model describes the processes that individuals and teams undertake in order to solve problems and may be applicable to Mission Control teams. Method: Semistructured interviews centering on a recent complex problem were conducted with seven MCC professionals. In order to assess collaborative problem-solving processes in MCC with those predicted by the Macrocognition in Teams Model, a coding scheme was developed to analyze the interview transcriptions. Results: Findings are supported with excerpts from participant transcriptions and suggest that team knowledge-building processes accounted for approximately 50% of all coded data and are essential for successful collaborative problem solving in mission control. Support for the internalized and externalized team knowledge was also found (19% and 20%, respectively). Discussion: The Macrocognition in Teams Model was shown to be a useful depiction of collaborative problem solving in mission control and further research with this as a guiding framework is warranted.

    Journal Title

    Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine

    Volume

    85

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    456

    Last Page

    461

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000349721600010

    ISSN

    0095-6562

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