Improvement of Information Flow in a Thermal Power Plant within the Macroergonomics Framework

摘要

Macro ergonomics adopts a holistic approach to human factors' problems of manufacturing systems. It considers the whole and integrates man, machine and organization. This study examines the impacts of information exchange and communication factors on human performance in a large power plant. It can be concluded that the selected factors significantly influence human performance and therefore they must be considered and designed concurrently with other conventional hardware and software factors in order to optimize human performance in particular and the system in general. Also, to alleviate the existing communication and information flow problems, we have proposed some modifications in the forms and organizational structure. With these minor changes, a big portion of the problems will be fixed. The benefits of the suggested changes are better control of repair tasks, elimination of unnecessary exchange of forms and merging Technical Support unit to Engineering Department.