Interruption management in human multitasking environments

Abstract

In human multitasking environments, task switching refers to moving from one task to another in a planned manner within an assigned period, whereas task interruption refers to moving from one task to another in an unplanned, usually forced manner. Well-organized task switching and interruption management allow increasing productivity and decreasing error and accident rates, thus contributing to more effective and efficient use of available but limited resources. Although managing task switching and interruptions in human multitasking environments is an important issue, no recent surveys are available to review works and research topics in this area. In this paper, we review how researchers attempt to manage task switching and interruptions in different human multitasking environments and we highlight challenging research directions.