Evaluation of a Software Implementation of the Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM)

Abstract

The Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM) represents a second-generation approach to human reliability analysis (HRA). The method, however, is very tedious to apply manually and not yet in widespread use and therefore largely untested. To allow for rapid and systematic evaluation of the CREAM method, a software tool for its application was developed. Results from several analyses undertaken to evaluate the method and the tool are also presented. The simplicity of our CREAM software allowed novices to analyze events in much detail but also revealed some critical shortcomings in both the method and the software tool. Several conclusions could be drawn from this allow for drafting of specific design guidelines for future upgrades of the CREAM software. These conclusions and recommendations can be further generalized to all software applications of HRA methods

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