A field study of training fault-finding

This field study develops training for fault-finding in a hot strip steel mill and evaluates its effectiveness. A prescriptive model of fault-finding was developed to overcome the errors made by technical personnel whilst fault-finding. This model breaks down fault-finding into two main goals: initial symptom identification and narrowing dawn the location of the fault to one sub-system. A computer-based training system was designed to train achievement of these goals by inculcating appropriate knowledge and by providing practice at simulated faults. The simulations had high physical and psychological fidelity with information available in the mill. The pre- and post-training performance was compared for eight technical personnel (four experienced and four apprentices) who tackled four matched faults. There were improvements after training in achievement of both goals. This was confirmed by qualitative analyses of the concurrent verbal reports obtained from the four apprentices whilst fault-finding.