Decision support through constraint propagation in collaborative distributed command and control

In this paper we develop a conceptual model of the interdependences among plans that can be expected to emerge in a collaborative, distributed command and control center. The foundations of the model are the problem space representation of problem solving and analyses of the nature of constraints and their propagation and of the task of planning. The model has informed the development of a series of empirical studies of the propagation of constraints in a simulated command and control center. The CBFire microworld is the test bed for the studies. Analysis of the behavioral data captured by C3Fire would serve to inform the design of an intelligent interface for decision support in command and control that highlights constraints on action and facilitates human decision making