Task 16.3 - Scenario-based decision making and collaboration

Goals:

A complex group behavioral task that combines decision making, leadership, automation and human factors.

Learning objectives:

• Train on the decision-making process in drone operations.
• Understand group psychology, leadership styles and the impact of personality on safety.
• Identify and manage risks related to confirmation bias and over-reliance on automation.
• Develop collaborative strategies for safe and effective drone use.

Scenario: Rescue missions in the mountains:

Late autumn. A person is missing in a fog-covered and remote mountain area. The weather deteriorates. The terrain is difficult and mobile coverage is poor. The drone team has a vessel with automated functions, recently updated.

The team has different experience and personalities:

• Pilot-in-Command: Tired, pressured, risk-averse.
• Sensor Operator: Experienced, accurate, skeptical.
• Visual observer: New, possibly unwell.
• Mission leader: Experienced, conflict averse, gets new info from ground crew.

During the check:

• Flickering in the drone lights.
• Battery indicator behaves strangely.
• The emergency landing zone is unusable due to rockfall.
• You remember that automation has failed before in cold weather.

Discuss in groups and make a decision plan:

Identify human factors (fatigue, stress, bias, conflict aversion, etc.).

Use the decision-making process:

• Evaluate the volume of operations (technique, weather, competence, attitudes).
• Plan challenges and alternative solutions.
• Assess compliance with procedures.
• Evaluate and draw learning.

Discuss leadership, transparency, division of roles and when to postpone, implement or cancel.

Presentation and debrief:

Each group presents their plan.

• Different approaches to risk and decision-making.
• How psychology affects assessments.
• How open communication and honesty can counteract bias.
• The balance between trust in technology and manual preparedness.
• The need for a clear but responsive leader.