Effectiveness and Cost Benefits of Computer-Based Decision Aids for Equipment Maintenance

Abstract

Data are summarized from assessments of three computer-based aids-Computer-Based Maintenance Aids System (CMAS), Portable Electronic Aid for Maintenance (PEAM), and Integrated Maintenance Information System (IMIS)-intended to support problem solving in maintenance operations. All three were shown to increase accuracy and to reduce errors and time required for maintenance operations. Cost benefits were reported for IMIS, which produced net savings of about $20 M per year in maintaining three F-16 avionics subsystems. The findings suggest that (a) a strong cost-effectiveness case can be made for the computer-based aids, (b) their development and implementation should consider the full range of options available for ensuring competent human performance, (c) both descriptive and prescriptive approaches should be employed in their design, (d) they should incorporate capabilities developed for intelligent tutoring systems, and (e) their absence from routine use despite their demonstrated value suggests that more effort is needed to ensure that the state-of-practice advances in maintenance operations along with the state of the art.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA415562

Entities

People

  • John Dexter Fletcher
  • Robert L. Johnson

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Avionics
  • Computers
  • Cost Effectiveness
  • Costs
  • Human Resources
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Inertial Navigation Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Maintenance
  • Motor Skills
  • Personal Digital Assistants
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Training

Readers

  • Agent-Based Social Robotics and Mobile-Assisted Learning in Virtual Environments.
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics