Evaluating span of control / workload for Local Operations Managers and Section Managers (Track)

Network Rail Ergonomics team has for many years been involved in evaluating the workload of signalling staff, for example to inform staffing levels or to direct design of new signalling equipment. Tools have been developed to... [ view full abstract ]

Network Rail Ergonomics team has for many years been involved in evaluating the workload of signalling staff, for example to inform staffing levels or to direct design of new signalling equipment. Tools have been developed to assist in the process, which are under constant review and development. Signalling staff are based (typically) in one location, with no direct reports to manage, and with often reasonably predictable workload drivers, such as timetabled trains, etc.

Recently, the Ergonomics team have undertaken work to understand and evaluate the workload for two very different roles: Local Operations Managers (LOMs) and Section Managers (Track). These roles differ greatly from signallers, for example they manage staff, have wide and varied responsibilities, may often operate in or cover a large geographical area, and so on.

To understand the workload drivers for these roles and to then evaluate what these roles spend their time doing requires a different approach to evaluating signaller workload.

This paper will describe the methods used to understand and evaluate the workload of LOMs and SM(T) roles, will describe the findings, and will also discuss the challenges involved in such work.