Collective Decision-Making in Complex Situations: a Dynamic Role in Alert Management

Motivation – This paper presents collective processes analysis in command and control activities. Research approach – Our objective is to describe the collective activities during alert management situations using the EORCA method (Event Oriented Representation of Collaborative Activities). Findings/Design –Data analysis allows us to characterize different inter-individual processes: co-operation and collaboration. Results show that they consist mainly in primarily communication procedures between experts during the varying phases of about management. Research limitations/Implications – Only one setting (epidemiological alert management) was investigated in this study, which limited a possible generalisation of the findings. Originality/Value – The research makes a contribution to the need of designers to target specific collective processes used in alert management by creating specific design for crisis centre. Take away message – Different team activity processes occur during the course of action in alert management, which correspond to specific phases: cooperation during information elements acquisition; collaboration during situation assessment and decision making phases.