A Dynamic Hierarchy of Rational Agents to Link Simulation to the Operational Environment

This paper expands on a proposed methodology for applying simulation technology to the monitoring of ongoing operations. It focuses on the use of rational agents, called Operations Monitors, to compare the progress of the real operation with that of the planned operation. When the Operations Monitors detect differences that threaten the success of the plan, they advise the decision-maker. The purpose of such a system is to avoid information overload of decision-makers by helping focus attention on the probability of mission success. For tractability, each Operations Monitor focuses on a narrow portion of the problem domain-there is no Napoleon agent. These Operations Monitors operate within a dynamic hierarchy that expands and contracts as necessary. This paper focuses on the structure of this hierarchy and the principle that guides the automatic and discretionary instantiation of Operations Monitors.