GOST: An active modeling system for costing and planning NASA space programs

This paper describes an active, or symbiotic, decision support system developed for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration called the Generic Operations Simulation Technique (GOST). GOST combines parametric modeling techniques (regression) with discrete-event simulation to cost and plan future space programs. GOST differs from previous process modeling approaches by providing an ‘artificially intelligent modeling expert’ and an ‘artificially intelligent domain expert’ for assisting the user in developing and analyzing process models. An object oriented knowledge representation system provides the foundation for the GOST environment. A taxonomy of Computer Directed Process Managers, implemented within the representation system, controls the appropriate processes responsible for delivering active modeling support.