ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some critical cognitive structures—that is, strategies—and their acquisition from a cognitive engineering point of view. It explores the techniques used by mechanical and electrical maintenance technicians in real-life troubleshooting. The chapter analyses the conditions for using these techniques, depending on problem complexity, familiarity with the problem, and job experience. It describes how the techniques in failure diagnosis can be employed to develop a knowledge-based information system that assists operators during maintenance tasks. A software design approach that uses cognitive structures will be introduced and an example of a computer-based information system for the support of Total Productive Maintenance structures presented. The chapter presents an investigation on techniques in failure diagnosis. Failure diagnosis strategies of maintenance and repair technicians who diagnose and repair cutting-machine tools were recorded with a retrospective verbal knowledge acquisition technique.
