Investigation into the Effect of the Mode of Presentation on Contract Evaluation When Cost/Schedule Control System Criteria Is Used

摘要

This theses focused on which mode of presentation, tabular or graphical would be more effective in aiding a program manager in his evaluation of a contractor's performance when cost/schedule control systems criteria is used. Effectiveness was measured in terms of decision quality, speed, confidence, and difficulty. A review of the literature in this area identified several important variables that might effect an individual's performance when a particular mode of presentation is used. These variables include the task to be accomplished, field independence/dependence, and experience. Two test scenarios were designed to test the individual's ability to detect trends, come up with precise numbers, and evaluate a contractor's performance using graphical or tabular information. The scenarios were administered to individuals who are or will be involved in the acquisition process. The Group Embedded Figures Test was adminstered to these subjects to determine if the individual was field independent or dependent. A questionnaire was also developed to collect background information on the sample population. A statistical analysis of the data collected indicated that the task to be accomplished had a large effect on which mode of presentation was most effective. Tabular information was best when accuracy was desired, and graphical data was best when trends needed to be analyzed.