EMPROV, the prototype decision system for improvisation in emergency management provides displays of data as shown in Fig. 1. The user can, via a computer mouse, identify resources by moving over the objects displayed on the map. A short description of the resources available at that site appears at the bottom of the screen. This capability provides an overview of the resources available at the time of the incident. In the top right of the screen, new emergency situations are described. Then the maximum time to plan and complete the emergency action is indicated below. In the window reserved for the situation report, the user enters the goals and recommended actions. These are then submitted to the EMPROV system for processing. The blackboard architecture is activated which posts the submitted goal and recommended action of the different units involved in emergency response.
Decision support was provided only during phase two. Supported groups had visual displays and were given recommended procedures, which had to be assembled to form a solution. Unsupported groups received no assistance aside from visual displays.
Two questions of principal interest in this research concern the effectiveness and uniqueness of group solutions. The first is whether supported groups provide more effective solutions than unsupported ones; the second is whether supported groups’ solutions were more creative. Subjective and objective measures were used to address the first question; subjective measures were used to address the second question.