EAGER: Exploratory Research on Detailed Design of Large Complex Systems

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The research objective of this EArly-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award will be to develop a proof of concept system that integrates value-driven agents into an agent-based information processing workflow simulation of design organizations to develop new capabilities for simulating design decision-making for complex systems. The investigators will develop an agent-based simulation of large design organizations in which agents are capable of making design decisions in response to requirements or various forms of incentives. This will provide a controlled environment in which to explore five research questions on Values, Incentives, and Hierarchy - all identified as being critical to successful design of complex systems. The investigators will also provide a simulation which can be validated against actual design organizations.If successful, the research resulting from this EAGER award will lay the foundation for the future development of a robust agent-based simulation environment that can be used by the systems engineering research community to study fundamental sociological and cognitive phenomena in the detailed design phase of the development of large scale complex systems like aircraft and automobiles. Tens of billions of dollars per year are lost to cost overruns and schedule delays in the development of large scale complex systems. The investigators propose to reverse these losses through a research agenda to employ the social sciences to understand more fundamentally how large organizations design complex products. This exploratory research will enable a reformation of present processes for designing large scale complex systems.