Informing work interaction design by 3rd generation activity theory

Abstract

In this paper, we reflect on stakeholder interaction design supported by task behavior specifications and stakeholder benefits when framing design with (i) eliciting task knowledge and understanding work activities and activity systems, (ii) means of interactional representation for design, and (iii) capturing the dynamics of activity systems. Thereby, complimentary inputs to theory development and work interaction design techniques become evident. In particular, eliciting implicit knowledge on human task accomplishment and work processes helps understanding and representing activities as designrelevant behavior entities. Eliciting implicit knowledge influences the representation of work knowledge and the subsequent design process of sociotechnical systems. We elaborate on some methodological interventions for creating stakeholder task behavior models, including patterns of information exchange for collaborative task accomplishment.