VIMCOS II: A Workload Control Simulation Model for Exploring Man-Machine Roles in Decisionmaking.

VIMCOS II is a prototype game for the design of management control systems in a man-machine, real-time environment, specifically, short-term resource allocation and control of aircraft maintenance resources at an airbase. Using JOSS, VIMCOS II demonstrates scheduling techniques, displays information, and uncovers error-handling philosophies. JOSS supplies the simulated environment and the player's information system, and aids in the scheduling task. In the abstracted environment of an airbase four events happen: aircraft land, and maintenance jobs are discovered, started, and completed. A player can devise the scenario as he proceeds or can operate against one stored in JOSS' memory. The game supplies aircraft status, expected landings, work center status, and routines for job selection. Man-machine partnerships vary from the simplest level of computer involvement (machine supplies status and player decides) to the most complex, a simulation capability allowing the player to evaluate scheduling from his own arbitrary job sequence and rules. 79 pp. Bibliog.