PERSUADE: PERSonnel-based Unit of Action Design Environment

The objective of the proposed work is to utilize innovative optimization algorithms and normative engineering models for the design of Army organizations. This system will increase productivity and efficiency of Army organizations by identifying critical factors in organizational structure, resource control, and processes given mission goals, team expertise, informal relationships, and resource/manpower constraints. The ultimate product of this research effort is the PERSonnel-based Unit of Action Design Environment (PERSUADE) Toolset - an interactive simulation, optimization and decision aid software environment that will help human users quickly and easily determine an optimized mix of factors that maximize organizational effectiveness, given a particular organizational context and mission structure. To accomplish these goals, a model will be developed that will allow linking the organizational structure and processes with the mission and environment, and predict the likely interplay between organizational factors based on defined performance criteria. PERSUADE builds on validated organizational modeling and optimal organizational design approaches, extending them to include representations of the informal relationship among unit members such as trust and unit cohesion, and the effects of these relationships on unit performance.