Anticipating activity through settings of usage: methodological proposal for project management

The intervention of ergonomists in the early stages of the design process depends on the ability to predict the future activity characteristics of transformational work situations. The paradox of ergonomic design has been addressed using several different approaches. Typical situations of action, practical schemes and transformational models based on certain courses of action provide designers with information on the use of technical systems. These concepts deal with the transition between analysis of work in actual situations and the need to guide the design process. To this same end, in this paper we introduce the concept of settings of usage. We present examples of this concept to guide the design of future oil platforms beginning with the initial baseline studies. Settings of usage are intended to capture experiences gained in the operation of platforms and to transfer the accumulated knowledge to future projects, creating appropriate working conditions for the activity. The goal is to create, as a complement to the expertise of the operators, ergonomists and designers, a knowledge base organized around the settings of usage. This will enable the transfer of experiential knowledge before the project teams have even been constituted.