Coping with complexity through adaptive interface design

Abstract

Complex systems are characterized by a large number and variety of, and often a high degree of dependency between, subsystems. Complexity, in combination with coupling, has been shown to lead to difficulties with monitoring and comprehending system status and activities and thus to an increased risk of breakdowns in human-machine coordination. In part, these breakdowns can be explained by the fact that increased complexity tends to be paralleled by an increase in the amount of data that is made available to operators. Presenting this data in an inappropriate form is crucial to avoiding problems with data overload and attention management. One approach for addressing this challenge is to move from fixed display designs to adaptive information presentation, i.e., information presentation that changes as a function of context. This paper will discuss possible approaches to, challenges for, and effects of increasing the flexibility of information presentation. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.