User Modeling for Modeling and Simulation Application Development

As modeling and simulation (M&S) applications and real-world systems become increasingly complex and automated, more reliance will be placed upon the computer system to assist and direct the human operator in the operation, use, and manipulation of the system. To acquire and utilize the information included in a M&S environment that is an accurate portrayal of even a modest real-world operational environment surpasses current M&S system abilities and computing resources. One promising technology for addressing this shortfall within the M&S community is the employment of behavioral and cognitive modeling, or user modeling. The need for user modeling pervades M&S applications; although not overt, user modeling is a critical to most modeling and simulation systems under development, especially those with intelligent agents. To realize the required capabilities for future M&S systems, they must incorporate the ability to effectively model the user and user needs within the environment. This paper addresses this requirement by motivating the need for and describing the benefits of user modeling in selected M&S applications.