Mining Publication: The Cost Relationship Between Performance Engineering and Human Behavior

Use of a face production simulator, such as CONSIM, in conjunction with an empirically-based method for successively improving work crew performance, such as the WCPM, can help identify and rank cycle elements for implementation of intervention strategies. This, in turn, can help human resource developers better target groups of tasks and subtasks as candidates for improved training or coaching, for job/equipment/condition modification, or for changes in management practices/policies. The net result if the acquisition of an ability to offer more specific guidelines for human resource development at the mine site- guidelines that are based on empirical evidence and meaningful analysis of performance metrics. Even pure "market economists," tempted always to seek technology and human operators that "run faster" at "less cost," might now consider investments that empower workers to "run smarter." Moreover, use of COMSIM has shown, by example, how common operating parameters (e.g., payload, tram rate) can be used as cost-conscious indicators of performance variability and therefore targeted for performance improvement. This field trial of the WCPM affirms the congruency between production and operator training by providing a unique cost linkage between performance engineering and human behavior.