ABSTRACT
In process control, operator workload is an important performance determinant. The operator’s task is process paced, and changes in the process can accumulate so that the operator has to carry out a lot of complex actions in a short time. New developments in information technology bring about new possibilities to provide users with information and task support in such situations. However, due to the introduction of this technology, task demands change and new bottlenecks appear. Automation is changing operator tasks substantially, from real time in the loop control to supervision and (re)planning of complex processes. For example, this planning can involve a high mental load in nonroutine situations such as fault diagnosis during operation.
