Z-Scheduler: integrating theories on scheduling behavior into a computational model

An approach to integrating theories of strategic behavior into a computational model using knowledge-based techniques is presented. The software implementation of this approach, the Z-Scheduler, is a constraint-based opportunistic scheduling model that uses a blackboard architecture. Z-Scheduler is programmed in GEST (Generic Expert System tool) and Common Lisp and is currently running on Symbolics hardware platforms. Having both a computational model and a software implementation to integrate the theories on scheduling strategies is potentially useful for the human factors analysts who want to check for efficient use of a human operator's resources in HMI (human-machine interface) designs.<>