Assessment Methods for Tactical Knowledge and Cognitive Readiness of

Tasking, Processing, Exploitation and Dissemination (TPED) systems and teams provide the capabilities for processing, analyzing and disseminating imagery intelligence when and where it is needed. The Air Force has identified the need for methods and toolsto support and enhance the human performance component of TPED operations.Micro Analysis & Design, Inc. (MA&D) proposes to team with The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) on this Phase I innovative research effort to demonstrate a proof-of-concept method for defining and assessing mission essential competenciesrequired for cognitive readiness and effective performance. The emphasis is on identifying tactical knowledge requirements and cognitive skills involving team knowledge acquisition, synthesis and dissemination. The feasibility of using informationcaptured from TPED team work process and products as a basis for automated team knowledge assessment will be evaluated. The objective is to integrate information from distributed sources to develop collaborative team knowledge assessments. Assessmentcategories will be linked to instructional strategies defined in terms of scenario-based training and rehearsal events. Human performance modeling tools will be applied to defining team performance readiness expectations under different workload,experience and training levels. The benefits to government and private sector agencies from automated assessment support tools include reduced training support requirements and a capability to focus training activities and content to specific knowledge shortfalls thereby increasingtraining effectiveness and reducing team time-to-proficiency.