Understanding maintenance activities in a macrocognitive work system

Motivation - To illustrate a theoretical framework as well as three methods applied for describing how maintenance activities are actually carried out in a nuclear power plant, for understanding their local rationale and for evaluating their possible effects on system safety. Research approach - Based on document analysis, interviews, field observations, and workshops Organisational Core Task modelling, Functional Resonance Analysis Method, and the analysis of trade-offs and goal conflicts have been applied to understand maintenance activities in nuclear power plants. Findings/Design - Each method sheds light on specific aspects of maintenance activities performed during outages. Their combination provides insight about what maintenance activities actually are, and about the reasons for maintenance activities being performed in the manner they are actually performed. Take away message - An innovative approach is needed to support safe and efficient maintenance activities.