Planning and Scheduling
GCAS Incorporated has several current efforts in Automated and Mixed-Initiative A.I. Planning and Scheduling
from a theoretical and practical aspect. In our theoretical research, we are developing the core technologies
in Knowledge Representation for realistic planning domains, search techniques, and planning frameworks. This
includes domains with continuous and delayed effects, uncertainty, concurrency and exogenous events.
With respect to practical applications, we are currently developing an interactive and dynamic planning and
scheduling system for the U.S. Air Force to perform Aerospace Command and Control (C
2) and a Contract/Grant
Management and Planning System for the Nation Institute of Health. In both efforts we employ the Logic Model
based approach. The Air Force C
2 application has allowed us to devise the planning system's architecture that
supports outcome-based planning and evaluation at multi levels of authority and collaboration. In addition, this
architecture naturally integrates assumptions and external factors that contribute to the success or failure of a
plan.
In the National Institute of Health application, we are pursuing the development of a computer software
system that guides the development of Program Logic Models for program planning and evaluation. Using a template,
the user is able to control the planning experience by answering a sequence of questions corresponding to
components of the model. The software then generates a Program Logic Model based on responses to the sequence of
questions. Through this process the user is able to develop plans in a more objective and time-efficient manner.
The software is based on the Logic Model Development Guide by W.K. Kellogg Foundation, complemented with a set of
advanced features. Such features include Scheduling (Milestone Charts, Gantt Charts, Pert Charts, Critical Path
Analysis, Critical Chain Method), Project Risk Management (Belief Networks, Influence Diagrams), Timeline
Budgeting and Earned Value Management.
GCAS is also developing a web-based product for Contract Management, Scheduling and Resource Management and
Planning called eManage to complement its Government Cost Accounting System (GCAS) commercial product. eManage
will allow project managers to construct schedules and budget of active projects and create proposals for new
efforts. The software is intimately tied to the GCAS accounting system to give a comparison between budget and
actual expense including Earned Value Analysis to determine the Estimated Cost to Complete. Also included is a
Risk Assessment module that allows the project manager to determine the likelihood of successfully completing the
job on time and within the budget.