71
5
Prospective
Sensemaking in Complex
Organizational Domains
A Case and Some
Reflections
T. E. Evjemo
SINTEF
INTRODUCTION
This chapter takes as a starting point the accident where the Norwegian frigate
KNM Helge Ingstad collided with the oil tanker Sola TS in Hjeltefjorden. The aim
of the chapter is to operationalize prospective sensemaking to lay the grounds for an
improved understanding of events that led up to the collision. The tanker was sailing on an intersecting course, and the collision resulted in the frigate being evacuated prior to sinking. The collision occurred in an area where all ship traffic was
monitored by a shipping control centre named Fedje VTS (Vessel Traffic Service).
Afterwards, in the media and the public space, critical questions were soon raised
about how such an accident could occur at all, including the publication of an audio
log immediately afterwards where one hears the frigate, the tanker and the shipping
CONTENTS
Introduction
71
..............................................................................................................
Motivation and Method
72
............................................................................................
The Frigate, the Tanker and the Shipping Control Centre ( VTS) – Course of
Events Prior to the Collision
73
...........................................................................
The Traditional Notion of ( Retrospective) Sensemaking
74
........................................
Concepts Related to Sensemaking
75
...........................................................................
The Properties of Prospective Sensemaking
76
............................................................
Operationalization of the Properties of Prospective Sensemaking
78
..........................
A Delimitation of Key Analytical Dimensions for the Operationalization of
Prospective Sensemaking
80
................................................................................
Some Learning Points from an Operationalization of Prospective Sensemaking 81
...
Concluding Remarks
82
................................................................................................
References
83
................................................................................................................
5
Prospective
Sensemaking in Complex
Organizational Domains
A Case and Some
Reflections
T. E. Evjemo
SINTEF
INTRODUCTION
This chapter takes as a starting point the accident where the Norwegian frigate
KNM Helge Ingstad collided with the oil tanker Sola TS in Hjeltefjorden. The aim
of the chapter is to operationalize prospective sensemaking to lay the grounds for an
improved understanding of events that led up to the collision. The tanker was sailing on an intersecting course, and the collision resulted in the frigate being evacuated prior to sinking. The collision occurred in an area where all ship traffic was
monitored by a shipping control centre named Fedje VTS (Vessel Traffic Service).
Afterwards, in the media and the public space, critical questions were soon raised
about how such an accident could occur at all, including the publication of an audio
log immediately afterwards where one hears the frigate, the tanker and the shipping
CONTENTS
Introduction
71
..............................................................................................................
Motivation and Method
72
............................................................................................
The Frigate, the Tanker and the Shipping Control Centre ( VTS) – Course of
Events Prior to the Collision
73
...........................................................................
The Traditional Notion of ( Retrospective) Sensemaking
74
........................................
Concepts Related to Sensemaking
75
...........................................................................
The Properties of Prospective Sensemaking
76
............................................................
Operationalization of the Properties of Prospective Sensemaking
78
..........................
A Delimitation of Key Analytical Dimensions for the Operationalization of
Prospective Sensemaking
80
................................................................................
Some Learning Points from an Operationalization of Prospective Sensemaking 81
...
Concluding Remarks
82
................................................................................................
References
83
................................................................................................................