Computational Models of Human Organizational Dynamics
Abstract
During this quarter we have developed the computational primitive, a scheme, that we believe is sufficient to implement action schemata, agents and organizations. We have also developed a critique of our prototype ACCORD technology suite, as a basis for refining its support for Practice Mapping (our data collection protocols) and Planning by Analysis (our problem-solving strategy that integrates organizational modeling with analysis and planning). The computational primitive has to satis% the following requirements: * data management (storage and access) * event-directed computation * policy-directed computation (i.e., explicit control structures) * arbitrary interruption and redirection of ongoing computation * self-embedding We have produced a specification of a computational object, which we call a scheme, with these features. Schemes are composed of a top4evel controller, an active data space, and a set of computational forms called handlers. The data space manages internal and external access to data. The top-level controller manages the interface of the scheme with other schemes - i.e., it enforces an external protocol with other schemes. It also contains event recognition and agenda management capabilities that are used to recognize when computation is relevant or needs to be redirected; this provides for event-directed and policy-directed control strategies. The top-level controller rnns concurrently with any handlers, and so provides for the detection and management of interrupt conditions. Handlers are much like the methods found in object- oriented programs, except that their internal protocol permits them to be fall-fledged schemes as well as simple code-body programs. We have embarked on an extensive critique of our ACCORD prototype, based on the results of the simulated crisis response exercise we developed (with experts) and used as a test scenario. We have decided we should formalize the relationship between
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA376567
Entities
People
- Gregg Courand
- Michael Fehling