C-RAM: Cognitively-Based Rapid Assessment Methodology

The essence of information assessment is the process of distinguishing signals from noise. In the military, intelligence analysts are constantly searching for signals that might suggest an adversary’s intentions. In each case, the analyst must search through a quantity of data, searching for meaningful patterns within the preponderance of noise. In many cases, it becomes necessary to divide the work among a team of collaborators. The team of 21st Century Systems, Incorporated and Colorado State University is pleased to propose to continue researching and developing our successful Cognitively-Based Rapid Assessment Methodology (C-RAM) concept. C-RAM manages multiple users interacting with multiple information sources and provides both textual and visual methods for viewing these data. The C-RAM system allows the analysts to organize the information using different presentation modalities. These separate presentations are used to collect and fuse information. Our goal is to continue development and enhancement of a set of tools and intelligent agents for collaborative information assessment that will improve group performance by reducing the cognitive effort. Intelligent software agents assist the user in visually decluttering their information and directing their attention. We are developing software agents that, along with human analysts, form a socio-technical system for information assessment.