Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is often thrown around to support placing blame on the individual for not being omniscient. Generated by AI and validated via my own research: 

Situational awareness (SA) is defined as "the perception of the elements in the environment within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future". This definition emphasizes three key hierarchical levels: 

Level 1: Perception. This involves noticing and collecting raw data and elements in the environment, such as objects, events, people, systems, and conditions.

Level 2: Comprehension. This involves understanding their meaning and significance in relation to goals and the overall situation.

Level 3: Projection. This is where the perceived information and its meaning are used to anticipate how the situation might unfold in the future, allowing for proactive decision-making. 

Why situational awareness doesn't mean being aware of all things at all times

Situational awareness doesn't mean being aware of everything in the environment at all times due to the limitations of human cognition, specifically in the areas of attention and information processing. 

Limited Cognitive Capacity. The brain has a finite capacity to process and retain information at any given time. Individuals can only hold a limited number of items in working memory, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). An overwhelming amount of information can overload cognitive capacity, leading to difficulty in focusing, processing, and making sound decisions.

Selective Attention. To cope with the vast amount of sensory input, the brain naturally employs selective attention, meaning information is prioritized and focused on information deemed most relevant to current goals or tasks while filtering out other stimuli, according to Frontiers. This is an adaptive mechanism that allows for the efficient management of complex environments.

Information Overload. The abundance of data can easily overwhelm cognitive abilities, leading to reduced productivity, poor decision-making, and even increased stress, says the Harvard Business Review. Trying to be aware of everything simultaneously would result in information overload, hindering the ability to focus on critical details and make timely, effective decisions. 

Therefore, true situational awareness is about being aware of the crucial elements, understanding their significance, and anticipating potential future events relevant to one's goals and tasks, rather than striving for an impossible state of omniscience.

Dave Blake