TEAMDEC: Integrative Decision Solutions with Multiple Information Sources

Abstract

Putk ttponing bunkn for this colltetion of informstion u tnnuud to snrago 1 hour pit risponsi, nchidinj th. ttm lor rsmwmg mjlruction». swelling •listing dill lotras. githemig ind msmtiirerig tl» diti mtM. ind conipsi mg ind rnming lh> colliction ol inlormirior,. Sind commmts iigirding this burdin nimm or sny othir upKt ol this rantction ol inlormition. including suggestions lor reducing this tedsn to Wishuigton Hudqwfm SKTOS AGENCY USE ONLY /Leave blank/REPORT DATE SEPTEMBER 2000 REPORT TYPE AND OATES COVEREDFinal Nov 97 -Sep 99 TITLE AND SUBTITLE TEAMDEC: INTEGRATIVE DECISION SOLUTIONS WITH MULTIPLE INFORMATION SOURCES AUTHOR(S)Eloise Coupey, Mark T. Jones, and Haiyuan Wang PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESSIESIVirginia Tech 340-A Burruss Hall, 0171 Blacksburg VA 24061 SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Air 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT /Maximum 200 words/Decision researchers have tended to focus on the characteristics of individual decision-making or of ad-hoc groups. In many applications, however, decisions are influenced by interactions among people who have specific skills and functions, and who may have an ongoing responsibility to the group. The functions of TeamDec are based on research that provides actionable insights about the unique nature of team-based decisions. To develop TeamDec, the contractor has integrated this research with recent developments in information technologies to provide software that improves decision-making in terms of decreases in time and resources required (e.g. personnel), and increases in the quality of decision outcomes. Because of the flexibility in design and the use of Java, with its reliance on interfaces to other software, TeamDec can interface well with other intelligent agents as part of a larger C4I infrastructure. It need not be used as a stand-alone tool. Executive Summary SUBJECT TERMS OverviewThe rapid advances in computing technologies, combined with concomitant growth in digital information sources and the acceptance of digital content via technology, creates a need for decision tools that enable effective use of information. This need is not limited to any particular segment of technology users.The amount and nature of Internet use has changed dramatically in the past few years. The estimated number of adult users in the United States increased 23% in 1998, to 53.5 million. In addition, the composition of the user base has broadened to include a wider variety of demographic profiles. Industry analysts conclude that the Internet is no longer viewed as a novelty, but as an integral way to accomplish daily activities. Not just a tool for business activities, the Internet is most frequently used to acquire and to communicate information, and for relaxation purposes.The rapidly growing base of Internet users that reflects broad cross-sections of the general population, coupled with increasing levels of sophistication with Internet services and technologies, underscores the need and opportunity for developing flexible decision suppo...

Computers as partners: a technology forecast for decision-making in the 21st century

“…New decision support systems will provide script guidance to help a decision-maker follow a work-flow of possible actions. In addition to integrating information from different sources, a leader will make a decision with the input of a flexible team of people and will communicate the results back to the team [5].…”