MORS Workshop -- Agent-Based Models and Other Analytic Tools in Support of Stability Operations Held in McLean, Virginia on 25-27 October 2005
Abstract
MORS conducted a workshop titled Agent Based Models and Other Analytic Tools in Support of Stability Operations at the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Conference Center in McLean, VA from 25 27 October 2005. Stability operations are military, civilian, and mufti-national. Analytical approaches to stability operations are also military, civilian, and multi-national. There is no shortage of good research and analysis in stability operations. Nevertheless, a critical failing is that many agencies are conducting military, civilian, and multi-national analyses independently without cross-domain sharing of ideas and methods. This confirms the need for analysts from the military, civilian, and multi-national analytical communities to collaborate and address the most significant shortcoming. This shortcoming is the inability to assess the interdependency of military, civilian, and multi-national efforts during the conduct of stability operations. Agent-based models (ABMs) are not unique; there are many models and simulations that have degrees of"ABMness." Many have been proven useful when analyzing stability operations and, among these models, a beneficial characteristic is the promising ability to represent behavioral and social concepts that are important to success in stability operations. ABMs are appropriately being used as filters (to conduct and screen many runs) in conjunction with more traditional simulations. We determined that nothing is to be gained by trying to divide models into two groups with agent-based models in one group and all other models in the other group. The fundamental basics for good analysis have not changed. Problem definition is first. The analyst then defines appropriate measures of effectiveness (MOEs), and then selects or develops the best tool for the job. We do not recommend that MORS treat agent-based models as a special topic in future workshops, because the term 'agent-based model' does not have unique meaning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA455286
Entities
People
- Corrina Ross-witkowski
Organizations
- Military Operations Research Society