An Agent-Based Simulation Model to Analyze Team Performance on Jobs with a Stochastic Structure

Teams can be designed to optimize their performance. There is a need for computational tools to study and design teams. We present an agent-based simulation model, called team coordination model (TCM), of the collaborative processes engaged in by teams working under well-defined, but dynamic job environments. The job environment is modeled as a conditional network of tasks with deterministic and stochastic interdependencies between activities. The team members are modeled with communication, task processing, and decision making functions. A scenario was developed based on the Race Committee for a sailboat racing. The team coordination model was used to study the Race Committee and recommend a design configuration that improve its performance.