Design and Evaluation of Simulations for the Development of Complex Decision-Making Skills

Abstract

The management of large-scale incidents, such as demonstrations that can affect public order, requires complex decision making. In association with the London Metropolitan Police a computer-based simulation (CACTUS) was designed for improving the strategic and tactical management of public order events by senior police officers. It incorporates a digitized map with active (iconized) police, crowd and hostile agents able to navigate the map and interact autonomously in ways that simulate aggression and disorder if the police resources and their instructions are not managed with some skill. Adaptive training scenarios were designed in CACTUS by the trainer/facilitators covering planning, event management and debriefing. An evaluation study collected audio and video records of the training sessions and these data gave useful insights into the decision-making processes and how the CACTUS simulation, through its design features, became a dynamic mediational tool in developing such skills.

Keywords

simulation decision-making skills evaluation

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Colbert

(1995), CriSys: An Interactive Multimedia Message Generator for PCs, Internal Report, Psychometric Research and Development Ltd and European Vinyls Corporation, Denmark, and Ergonomics and the HCI Unit, University College, London.

Crego

Powell

(1995), The Exercising of Critical Decision-Makers and Their Teams: A Simulation Approach Using Digital Video and a Multi-Station Computing Network, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth.

Dowell

(1995), ‘Coordination in emergency operations and tabletop training exercises’, Travail Humain, Vol 58, No 1, pp 85–102.

Garcia

J.R.

(1995), ‘Use of technology in developing problem solving and critical thinking skills’, Journal of Industrial Technology, Vol 11, No 1, pp 14–27.

Jooligen van

W.R.

Jong de

, (1996), ‘Design and implementation of simulation-based discovery environments: The SM IS LE solution’, Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, Vol 7, No 3–4, pp 253–276.

Kaptelinin

(1994), ‘Activity theory: Implication for human computer interaction’, in Brouwer-Janse

M.D.

Harrington

T.L.

, eds, Human Machine Communication for Educational Systems Design, Springer, Berlin, pp 5–15.

Lipshitz

(1993), ‘Converging themes in the study of decision-making in realistic settings’, in Klein

G.A.

Orasance

Calderwood

Zsambock

C.E.

, eds, Decision-Making in Action: Model and Methods, Ablex, New Jersey.

Pearce

Fortune

(1995), ‘Command and control in policing: A system analysis of the Gold, Silver, Bronze structure’, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, Blackwell, Oxford.

Powell

Wright

Newland

Creed

Logan

(1992), ‘Fire Play: ICCARUS, Intelligent Command and Control, Acquisition and Review using simulation’, Interactive Learning International, Vol 8, pp 109–126.

10.

Varley

G.A.

(1999), Formative Evaluation of a Simulation System for Public Order Training, unpublished PhD thesis, Computer Based Learning Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds.