Development of an initial decision support system using network repair level analysis for determining test program set acquisition costs

Describes the development of a software system that enhances as well as expands the usefulness of the network repair level analysis (NRLA) model. US Department of Defense maintenance planners and acquisition managers need such a tool in order to effectively plan and manage support programs for weapon systems in the face of increasing budget cuts. The author discusses an initial, specific decision-support system (DSS) that enhances the usefulness of the NRLA model by providing a user interface and a database management system that facilitates model manipulation. This DSS also expands the model´s usefulness by providing software systems and analysis techniques that generate cost guidelines used in the acquisition of test program sets