Michael L. McGinnis

A Validation Methodology for Human Behavior Representation Models

The Department of Defense (DoD) relies heavily on mathematical models and computer simulations to analyze and acquire new weapon systems. Models and simulations help decision makers understand the differences between systems and provide insights into the implications of weapon system tradeoffs. Given this key role, the credibility of simulations is paramount. For combat models, this is gained through the verification, validation, and accreditation process required of DoD analytical models prior to their use in weapon systems acquisition and other studies. The nature of nondeterministic human behavior makes validation of models of human behavior representation contingent on the judgments of subject matter experts that are routinely acquired using a face validation methodology. In an attempt to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of assessing human behavior representation using experts and the face validation methodology, the authors conducted experiments to identify issues critical to utilizing human experts for the purpose of ascertaining ways to enrich the validation process for models relying on human behavior representation. The research was limited to the behaviors of individuals engaged in close combat in an urban environment. This paper presents the study methodology, data analysis, and recommendations for mitigating attendant problems with validation of human behavior representation models.

Building scenarios in the next generation of simulations

Building exercise scenarios is a challenging task for simulation users. Future technological improvements in the functionality, size and complexity of simulations will no doubt increase the amount of data and associated structures required for users to build scenarios and conduct exercises. This paper proposes a scenario generation process for supporting future generations of simulations featuring synchronous and asynchronous data exchange.

WARSIM 2000: combining multiple expert opinions from subject matter experts to generate requirements for staff training at battalion level and above

When fully developed, Warfighters Simulation (WARSIM) 2000 will support warfighter exercises, command post exercises, and seminar training events from battalion through corps. Currently, such training is primarily conducted in three modes: live exercises, constructive computer simulations, and virtual computer simulations. Clearly, there is no substitute for live, tactical exercises where soldiers, unit leaders, train using their equipment in real-world situations. However, as training costs for field exercises continue to increase, combined with environmental constraints on training, the Army is shifting from large-scale unit field training exercises to simulated command post exercises and seminars. The WARSIM 2000 is being developed for this purpose. We present a WWW-based database tool that will help reduce developmental costs of the WARSIM system. The WWW tool will be used to elicit multiple expert opinions from experts across the Army using Standard Query Language. This approach has enabled WARSIM 2000 developers to collect, analyze, combine, and display the expert: opinions collected. Over 20 standard queries are available to aid the WARSIM 2000 developers in determining which mission training plan tasks to focus on during the software development phase of the military operation simulation.

A heuristic methodology for sizing a large-scale system of constrained, reusable resources

This paper proposes a methodology for sizing certain large-scale systems of reusable, capacity-constrained resources engaged in tasks of varying duration. A heuristic program schedules resources throughout a finite planning horizon using two decision variables: varying resource capacity for meeting demand and varying task duration. A model of the problem and heuristic scheduling program are presented. A sequential, iterative sizing procedure determines the number of system resources to meet demand at each stage of the problem. Results compare the methodology with heuristics used in practice to schedule resources and size a real-world, large-scale training system.

Reengineering the United States Army's tactical command and control operational architecture for information operations

During the past few years, the Army has undertaken a major effort to integrate computer, information, and communication technologies throughout the force. These technologies have made a profound impact on the Armys tactical command and control (C/sup 2/) processes, especially at division and below. This paper presents a computer simulation model to support the reengineering of the United States Armys staff organization at division and below for information operations. The simulation model under development will provide force planners with a tool for methodically conducting comparative analyses of specific alternatives for reengineering tactical level Army staffs to improve efficiency and effectiveness of staff work related to information operations.

Base camp facility layout

The primary purpose of the project presented was to aid in the development of an optimal military base camp facility layout by studying and identifying proximity relationships between essential facility components. These relationships were determined through extensive research, surveys, and interviews with key stakeholders. Three separate relationship charts were created representing the mean, median, and mode response scores from research and an online survey of critical base camp stakeholders from around the world. These charts were then used in conjunction with score and rectilinear distance matrices to organize the data for software optimization. The Computerized Relative Allocation of Facilities Technique (CRAFT) was used in the solution for a near-optimal layout for three base camps with 15 facilities. These three layouts were then compared to each other as well as to standard base camps found in Theater Construction Management System (TCMS) software and Camp Bondsteel.

Design and implementation of a WWW-based database system to support software development of computer-generated forces for US Army simulation training

The World Wide Web (WWW) has opened new frontiers for presenting and collecting information from sources around the world. Web browsers provide Internet users with access to information vast amounts of information. This paper addresses the design, development and implementation of a multi-user database system for the World Wide Web to query subject matter experts during development of mission training plans for the Armys new Warfighters Simulation (WARSIM) 2000. Currently, 262 Army mission training plans for Army units from platoon to corps have been input into in a database repository by subject matter experts using the Internet-based system. The paper discusses how the system converts data from the database to hypertext markup language through the use of the common gateway interface. The system also stores and links individual user input by MTP task through each step of the elicitation process so that previously entered input is available each time a user logs on to the system.

Measuring the effectiveness of simulation-based training

The relationship between measures of training performance and the achievement of training goals is often difficult to quantify. This continues to be an obstacle to the development of curricula for simulation based training systems. These include both constructive and virtual computer simulations for training. This paper discusses the development of training effectiveness measures as they relate to the design of instructional, simulation-based training systems featuring automated tools for planning training.

Using computer simulation to reengineer traditional stove-piped army staffs for information operations in the 21st century

Recently, the US Army has been confronted by a wider range of military and peace-keeping operations. The future success of the Army on tomorrows battlefields depends, in part, on how effectively our forces are able to fight and win the information war. We present a computer simulation approach being developed for the Army Digitization Office (ADO) for reengineering the current stove-piped organization of tactical Army staffs into staffs organized for information operations in the 21st century.

Cluster analysis of joint tasks for rapid decisive operations

In October 2000, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff published Joint Vision 2020 which discusses the joint operational concept called rapid decisive operations. Current doctrine governing joint military operations is reflected in the Universal Joint Task List which specifies tasks a joint military force is expected to accomplish. The paper presents cluster analysis of the Universal Joint Task List to identify tasks critical to rapid decisive operations and command and control tasks specific to an operational joint headquarters conducting rapid decisive operations. Results suggest a new organizational construct for joint task force headquarters to better accomplish future operations. We conclude with implications and considerations for future joint headquarters design and experimentation.