Operational Decision Aids: A Program of Applied Research for Naval Command and Control Systems.

Abstract : The Operational Decision Aids (ODA) Project is reviewed as to its objectives, history, approach, and progress. Main elements of the project include support activities (e.g., the development of tactical warfare scenarios, case studies of command and control systems, and the provision of a general purpose laboratory test facility) and prototype decision aids (e.g., 'outcome calculators,' innovative displays of risk in tactical decision-making situations, and automatic alerters or warning). The ODA project is also discussed with regard to how well its objectives have been met. A number of issues are raised having to do with use of decision aids in task force operations. The importance of experimentation with the prototype aids is emphasized.