Grid-Group Cm-alpha, Profiling Cultural Factors for Decision Aiding

Human biases and routines, capabilities, and limitations strongly influence overall mission effectiveness; whether during real operations or simulations using models of humans. Many missions and environments challenge human capabilities (e.g., combat stress, waiting, fatigue from long hours or lengthy tour of duty). Knowledge is needed on cultural differences that may affect human effectiveness levels so that improved job design, equipment design, and safeguards can be implemented. The capability to measure and model the individual’s human performance is a first analysis step. Also, valid techniques are required for modeling team workload as a function of individual workload. 21st Century Systems, Incorporated is pleased to propose to continue our research into the Grid-Group Cm-alpha concept. This concept consists of two development paths – one path for cultural factors and the other path relating cultural factors to other military environment factors. The overall concept draws upon research from the field of sociology and a stress-strain mechanical model from theoretical physics. Additionally, we will add a Decision Support Engine (DSE) that incorporates the concepts developed and allows the user to test scenarios. We will also be exploring avenues to validate the system under simulated and historical conditions.