78
Sensemaking in Safety Critical and Complex Situations
OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE PROPERTIES
OF PROSPECTIVE SENSEMAKING
Let us return to when Sola TS left the Sture terminal for the first example. The AIBN
report explains that the traffic controller did not feel that traffic regulation or information was needed for any of the other vessels in the area. The traffic controller’s
work screen was also zoomed in on Sola TS at the time KNM Helge Ingstad was not
followed on radar, which according to AIBN led the traffic controller to simply forget
the frigate. Arguably, the traffic controllers’ ( Fedje VTS) initial reception of the call
from KNM Helge Ingstad creates an expectation ( or several) regarding future events
in which the frigate is involved. However, the call from Sola TS causes the traffic
controller to zoom in on the Sture terminal and leaves the screen to remain so even
after the tanker has left the terminal, which contributes to the traffic controller not
having an overview of the frigate’s position just before the collision. Thus, there may
TABLE 5.1
Six Properties of Prospective Sensemaking Based on Observational and
Interview Material with Medical Professionals in Operating Teams
Main Characteristics ( Rosness et al., 2015)
Analytical Focus
The persons involved are primarily concerned with their own and
Time span, near or intermediate
the team’s successful handling of events in the near or
future
intermediate future, ranging from seconds and minutes to weeks
and months into the future. Their attention is thus directed at the
future, rather than the past.
Prospective sensemaking does not necessarily require strong
Naturally occurring work practice
external cues or triggering events to occur. Although retrospective
sensemaking activities are typically triggered or intensified by
uncertainty or ambiguity, prospective sensemaking also occurs
spontaneously, as a ‘‘ natural’’ part of the work practice.
Prospective sensemaking relies on both verbal and non-verbal
Verbal and non-verbal
communication, including observation of the actions of others and communicative actions
of the effects of those actions.
Prospective sensemaking can be open to the possibility of
Events are non- linear – implies
alternative chains of events—the future may be conceived as an
uncertainty/complexity
event tree rather than a single path of events. An implication of
this is that prospective sensemaking allows for ambiguity and
uncertainty.
The main outcomes of successful prospective sensemaking are
Outcomes; practical preparations,
practical preparations to handle possible future events, mental
mental preparedness, coordination
preparedness to interpret future events, and improved coordination between/ among several people
in tasks involving intertwined actions of two or more persons.
The process of prospective sensemaking may involve human as
Human and non-human actors,
well as non-human actors, including different forms of
e.g., technology
representations or models.
Source: Modified, based on Rosness et al. ( 2015).
Sensemaking in Safety Critical and Complex Situations
OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE PROPERTIES
OF PROSPECTIVE SENSEMAKING
Let us return to when Sola TS left the Sture terminal for the first example. The AIBN
report explains that the traffic controller did not feel that traffic regulation or information was needed for any of the other vessels in the area. The traffic controller’s
work screen was also zoomed in on Sola TS at the time KNM Helge Ingstad was not
followed on radar, which according to AIBN led the traffic controller to simply forget
the frigate. Arguably, the traffic controllers’ ( Fedje VTS) initial reception of the call
from KNM Helge Ingstad creates an expectation ( or several) regarding future events
in which the frigate is involved. However, the call from Sola TS causes the traffic
controller to zoom in on the Sture terminal and leaves the screen to remain so even
after the tanker has left the terminal, which contributes to the traffic controller not
having an overview of the frigate’s position just before the collision. Thus, there may
TABLE 5.1
Six Properties of Prospective Sensemaking Based on Observational and
Interview Material with Medical Professionals in Operating Teams
Main Characteristics ( Rosness et al., 2015)
Analytical Focus
The persons involved are primarily concerned with their own and
Time span, near or intermediate
the team’s successful handling of events in the near or
future
intermediate future, ranging from seconds and minutes to weeks
and months into the future. Their attention is thus directed at the
future, rather than the past.
Prospective sensemaking does not necessarily require strong
Naturally occurring work practice
external cues or triggering events to occur. Although retrospective
sensemaking activities are typically triggered or intensified by
uncertainty or ambiguity, prospective sensemaking also occurs
spontaneously, as a ‘‘ natural’’ part of the work practice.
Prospective sensemaking relies on both verbal and non-verbal
Verbal and non-verbal
communication, including observation of the actions of others and communicative actions
of the effects of those actions.
Prospective sensemaking can be open to the possibility of
Events are non- linear – implies
alternative chains of events—the future may be conceived as an
uncertainty/complexity
event tree rather than a single path of events. An implication of
this is that prospective sensemaking allows for ambiguity and
uncertainty.
The main outcomes of successful prospective sensemaking are
Outcomes; practical preparations,
practical preparations to handle possible future events, mental
mental preparedness, coordination
preparedness to interpret future events, and improved coordination between/ among several people
in tasks involving intertwined actions of two or more persons.
The process of prospective sensemaking may involve human as
Human and non-human actors,
well as non-human actors, including different forms of
e.g., technology
representations or models.
Source: Modified, based on Rosness et al. ( 2015).