77
Prospective Sensemaking
processes ( Rosness et al., 2015). Drawing on past experience to make sense of possible future events is indeed relevant, just as the above definition implicitly recognizes
by the use of “ primarily”.
According to Weick ( 1995) expectations are important drivers for s ensemaking –
the effects of expectations on the interpretation of input from the environment are in
particular focus. At the same time, the explicit formation of expectations is of particular interest to understand sensemaking processes, because it involves attention
on events that might occur ahead in time, i.e., prospective sensemaking. This chapter acknowledges the need to explore how professionals’ expectations are formed, in
particular how expectations become configured and at the same time are embedded
within the local context of operations, i.e., through situated, coordinative practices
on a ship’s bridge. If one takes the example of the actions of the OOW on KNM
Helge Ingstad’s bridge, the AIBN accident report informs us that the tanker Sola TS
was mistakenly taken to be the oil refinery located onshore. Arguably, the OOW on
KNM Helge Ingstad’s bridge was unable to construct or recognize a pattern of future
events that made the available information ( cues) sensible. Consequently, Sola TS’s
incitement to the frigate to immediately change course just prior to the collision was
not perceived as rational by the crew on KNM Helge Ingstad’s bridge. Rosness et al.
(2015:60) developed the term from observational studies within surgical hospital
settings in Norway. T able 5.1 provides an overview of the six main properties of
prospective sensemaking as elaborated by Rosness et al. ( 2015).
Prospective sensemaking is thus empirically rooted, and a couple of empirical
examples from the original study are appropriate. Time is an important dimension
considering how expectations about future events are formed. Firstly, the following quote illustrates how the scrub nurse attempts to be one or two steps ahead the
surgeon, “… The surgeon is looking for a forceps on the table and then asks for it.
He then discovers that the scrub nurse already has the forceps ready in her hand”
( Rosness et al., 2015:60). By continually observing the surgeon, the scrub nurse is
able to make expectations on what equipment he or she will need next and thus prepare in advance. This example is directed at the immediate future; however, expectations related to a longer time horizon are also common and are illustrated by the
following quote; “… towards the end of the surgical procedure, the anaesthetic nurse
explains that she gave a little extra pain reliever intravenously. It will have effect for
some time after the patient has awakened from general anaesthesia. She does not
fully trust the plexus anaesthesia because the patient has so much fat that it can be
difficult to hit the correct nerve” ( Rosness et al., 2015:60). Arguably, both nurses’
capacity to stay ahead of events that they expect is imperative for safe and efficient
conduct of surgical procedures.
A similar argument will apply to the events preceding the collision in Hjeltefjord.
Exploring the formation of crew expectations, the strategies and resources applied are
particularly intriguing, especially the relationship between expectations of future events
as a basis for crew collaboration ( action) and how expectations are either reinforced
or weakened through real-time access to information as an event evolves. In line with
Rosness et al. ( 2015), this chapter views sensemaking processes as evolving phenomena,
i.e., not a static state or end goal in itself. Similarly, the starting point is that prospective
sensemaking is a key prerequisite for both safe and efficient maritime traffic.
Prospective Sensemaking
processes ( Rosness et al., 2015). Drawing on past experience to make sense of possible future events is indeed relevant, just as the above definition implicitly recognizes
by the use of “ primarily”.
According to Weick ( 1995) expectations are important drivers for s ensemaking –
the effects of expectations on the interpretation of input from the environment are in
particular focus. At the same time, the explicit formation of expectations is of particular interest to understand sensemaking processes, because it involves attention
on events that might occur ahead in time, i.e., prospective sensemaking. This chapter acknowledges the need to explore how professionals’ expectations are formed, in
particular how expectations become configured and at the same time are embedded
within the local context of operations, i.e., through situated, coordinative practices
on a ship’s bridge. If one takes the example of the actions of the OOW on KNM
Helge Ingstad’s bridge, the AIBN accident report informs us that the tanker Sola TS
was mistakenly taken to be the oil refinery located onshore. Arguably, the OOW on
KNM Helge Ingstad’s bridge was unable to construct or recognize a pattern of future
events that made the available information ( cues) sensible. Consequently, Sola TS’s
incitement to the frigate to immediately change course just prior to the collision was
not perceived as rational by the crew on KNM Helge Ingstad’s bridge. Rosness et al.
(2015:60) developed the term from observational studies within surgical hospital
settings in Norway. T able 5.1 provides an overview of the six main properties of
prospective sensemaking as elaborated by Rosness et al. ( 2015).
Prospective sensemaking is thus empirically rooted, and a couple of empirical
examples from the original study are appropriate. Time is an important dimension
considering how expectations about future events are formed. Firstly, the following quote illustrates how the scrub nurse attempts to be one or two steps ahead the
surgeon, “… The surgeon is looking for a forceps on the table and then asks for it.
He then discovers that the scrub nurse already has the forceps ready in her hand”
( Rosness et al., 2015:60). By continually observing the surgeon, the scrub nurse is
able to make expectations on what equipment he or she will need next and thus prepare in advance. This example is directed at the immediate future; however, expectations related to a longer time horizon are also common and are illustrated by the
following quote; “… towards the end of the surgical procedure, the anaesthetic nurse
explains that she gave a little extra pain reliever intravenously. It will have effect for
some time after the patient has awakened from general anaesthesia. She does not
fully trust the plexus anaesthesia because the patient has so much fat that it can be
difficult to hit the correct nerve” ( Rosness et al., 2015:60). Arguably, both nurses’
capacity to stay ahead of events that they expect is imperative for safe and efficient
conduct of surgical procedures.
A similar argument will apply to the events preceding the collision in Hjeltefjord.
Exploring the formation of crew expectations, the strategies and resources applied are
particularly intriguing, especially the relationship between expectations of future events
as a basis for crew collaboration ( action) and how expectations are either reinforced
or weakened through real-time access to information as an event evolves. In line with
Rosness et al. ( 2015), this chapter views sensemaking processes as evolving phenomena,
i.e., not a static state or end goal in itself. Similarly, the starting point is that prospective
sensemaking is a key prerequisite for both safe and efficient maritime traffic.