Work domain analysis

Work Domain Analysis (WDA) is the foundational first phase of the Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) framework used in systems engineering and human factors research. It provides a structured method for describing the functional constraints that govern the purpose, priorities, and operations of sociotechnical systems under analysis. Developed by Jens Rasmussen and colleagues at Risø National Laboratory in Denmark, WDA serves as an essential foundation for subsequent phases of CWA by establishing a representation of the functional structure of the work environment independent of specific tasks, activities, or worker roles.

The primary framework used in WDA is the Abstraction-Decomposition Space (ADS), which maps the work domain across multiple levels of abstraction (from functional purpose to physical form) and decomposition (from whole system to individual components). This representation captures both the means-ends relationships (connecting higher-level purposes to lower-level functions and physical resources) and part-whole relationships (connecting system elements at different levels of granularity).

Unlike traditional task analysis methods that focus on specific sequences of actions, WDA emphasizes understanding the fundamental constraints and possibilities within the work environment that shape potential actions. This approach makes WDA particularly valuable for analyzing complex, dynamic systems where workers must adapt to changing conditions, making decisions based on the functional properties and constraints of their work domain rather than following predetermined procedures.