A Decision Support System for Flying Scheduling in Combat Commanders School

The object of this research was to develop a decision support system (DSS) for the scheduler in Combat Commanders School (CCS) of the Pakistan Air Force. The purpose of a DSS is to support the cognitive process of judgement and choice. Scheduling in CCS is a data intensive activity. Currently the scheduler accomplishes his task using grease boards and manual data tracking tables. Manipulation and cross-referencing of data for scheduling is a time consuming and complex process. This DSS was built using the adaptive design approach. Ideally the iterative process of building needs the involvement of users for evaluation and re-definition of requirements. However, even if the users are not available, the adaptive design approach enables a DSS to stay open ended for incorporating future changes. This DSS automates the data handling and enables a scheduler to build the scheduling shell from generic formation shells provided by the system. The DSS provides a screen format for simultaneous cross- referencing of data and scheduling. This DSS is likely to save a scheduler's time and help him in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the process. Theses.