Effectiveness and cost benefits of computer-based decision aids for equipment maintenance

Abstract

Data were summarized from assessments of three computer-based problem solving decision aids for equipment maintenance. All three were shown to increase accuracy and reduce errors and time required to solve maintenance problems. Cost benefits were reported for one and suggested net savings of about $20 million per year in F-16 avionics maintenance. These assessments suggest that (1) a strong cost-effectiveness case can be made for these computer-based aids, (2) their development and implementation should consider the full range of options available for ensuring competent human performance, (3) both descriptive and prescriptive approaches should be employed in their design, (4) they will benefit from capabilities developed for intelligent tutoring systems, and (5) their absence from routine use despite their demonstrated promise suggests that more effort is needed to ensure that the state of practice advances along with the state of the art.