Editing Workload (section)

===Cognitive workload in time-critical decision-making processes===
It is well accepted that there is a relationship between the media by which information is transferred and presented to a [[decision maker]] and their cognitive workload. During times of concentrated activity, single-mode information exchange is a limiting factor. Therefore, the balance between the different information channels (most commonly considered visual processing and auditory, but could also include haptic, etc.) directly affects cognitive workload (Wickens 1984). In a [[time-critical]] decision situation, this workload can lead to [[human error]] or delayed decisions to accommodate the processing of the relevant information. (Smith, K.T. & Mistry, B. 2009).<ref>Smith, K.T., Mistry, B (2009) Predictive Operational Performance (PrOPer) Model. Contemporary Ergonomics 2009 Proceedings of the International Conference on Contemporary Ergonomics 2009 http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/abs/10.1201/9780203872512.ch28</ref> 
Work conducted by K Tara Smith has defined some terms relating to the workload in this area. The two main concepts relating to workload are:
* '''workload debt''' - which is when an individual's cognitive workload is too high to complete all relevant tasks in the time available, and they decide (either consciously or subconsciously) to postpone one or more tasks (usually low priority tasks) to enable them to decide on the required timeframe.
* '''workload debt cascade''' - when, because of the high workload, the postponed tasks mount up so that the individual cannot catch up with the tasks they are required to do, causing failure in subsequent activities.