The cooperative shift change: An illustration using air traffic control

We define the cooperative shift change and consider it from the perspective of four phases identified in Grusenmeyer (International Journal of Human Factors in Manufacturing, 5, 163–176, 1995): end-of-shift, arrival, meeting, and taking post. We describe the differences expected for the phases for both outgoing and incoming operators, discuss various domains that differ in their shift-change profile, and consider why those profile differences obtain. With this framework as a backdrop, we explore in detail the shift change, or position relief briefing (PRB), of air traffic control. This theoretical framework has the potential to aid in the classification and comparison of the transfer of responsibility in a variety of industrial tasks. This study could aid in the implementation of changes for air traffic control PRBs.