Engineering maintenance decision-making with unsupported judgement under operational constraints

In operational engineering maintenance situations, limitations on time, resource or the information available often inhibit rigorous analysis complex decision problems. Decision-makers who are compelled to act in such circumstances, may be informed by some level of if available, else have rely their unsupported judgement. This paper presents three risk decision-making case studies across a 20 year span from rail, aerospace, and military aviation contexts, highlighting fallibilities using judgements an unstructured manner. To help situate this type situation, we provide descriptive model space which extends existing description discipline analysis. Furthermore, make describe distinction between supported thinking, another model, time drawing parallels with made Type 1 2 reasoning. is extension default-interventionist cognitive psychology. The concludes that there pressing need form support decision-makers facing decisions under severe pressure. While ultimate aim must improve quality decision-making, improved transparency important additional benefit. Increased emphasis justification self-awareness suggested as potential ways improving situation. A further contribution identify strengthen linkages safety science two other relevant disciplines, Such it easier communicate traditional disciplinary boundaries opportunities for interdisciplinary learning suggest future directions collaborative research. • Three highlight constraints decisions. Attention focused decision-making. Extended provides linkage Organisational systems unable cater adequately