Performance Modes | Jens Rasmussen

Need to understand what state the performer is in

• Skill = high familiarity so low attention is necessary (unconscious competence)
• Knowledge = Low familiarity so high attention pattern searching
• Rules needed in between

Which state is safest?

• Skill = highly experienced worker. If failure occurs, usually due to complacency
• Rules = 10x less reliable than skill
• Knowledge = 1 coin flip away from failure

Cynefin Obvious Domain

• If worker is experienced and skilled, focus safeguards focus on complacency, carelessness, inattentiveness Example: Airline pilots rotate co-pilots for independent verification
• If worker is learning the Rules, practice until well known and understood

Cynefin Complicated Domain

• If worker is k-based,  highest levels of controls and manage aggressively

Why are highly-experienced workers highly reliable?

They have a large quantity of attention resources available to use