Manpower, Personnel, Training and Safety (MPTS) Simulation Tools: Network and Simulation for Workload Assessment and Modeling (SIMWAM)

Abstract

MANPRINT simulations in the early stages of weapon system acquisition involve modeling of functional and task sequences for individual operators/maintainers and for crews. The models identify function and task sequences associated with alternate function allocation approaches and design concepts. One tool developed for the task modeling activity is NETWORK™, a graphic task sequencing tool which establishes the predecessor relationships among tasks and supports the identification of the complete set of tasks. In the assessment of the adequacy of alternate function allocation strategies of roles-of-man vs automation, task sequences are modeled to reflect the distinguishing characteristics of each allocation approach. The allocation concepts and/or design concepts are then evaluated through the use of SIMWAM™ (Simulation for Workload Assessment and Modeling) workload assessment modeling procedure. With SIMWAM the workloads and performance problems for each alternate allocation approach can be determined, and multi-operator workloads can be quantified. During a SIMWAM run, tasks are called when prior tasks are completed. If sufficient operators are available for a called task, then it will be started. Input data which describe a task include a list of qualified operators and the number of these required to perform the task. In attempting to start a task, SIMWAM will assign qualified operators who are currently idle. SIMWAM can also interrupt lower priority tasks in process to obtain operators for higher priority tasks. This paper describes the NETWORK and SIMWAM tools and presents reports of the results of specific applications of the the two tools.