The Use of Management Games for Developing Army Officers in Administrative and Staff Jobs.

摘要

This report describes results of a project designed to review and develop research information which will aid in construction or experimentation with management games and simulations depicting the interpersonal relationships and decision-making and problem-solving processes of junior company-grade Army officers in administrative, nontactical support, and staff jobs. A brief survey of a small sample of officer incumbents of Finance, Adjutant General, and Quartermaster Corps first-tour, entry-level jobs was conducted and job requirements and the major problem-analysis, decision-making, and interpersonal tasks and problems were identified. A comprehensive review of literature and state-of-the art of simulation was conducted and 351 games and simulations were surveyed to determine relevance for junior officers in the focal jobs. After initial screening, the remaining 183 were intensively analyzed to identify processes and parameters involved in the games and simulations. A descriptive model delineating the processes and attributes evoked by them is presented in the report. A methodology for evaluating management games and simulations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and the descriptive model was developed and applied to the sample of 183. Fifty-two games and simulations identified as appropriate for the focal officers were catalogued with descriptions and evaluations as HumRRO Research Product 77-22 (bound at the end of this report). A framework and guidance for constructing games and simulations for training and assessment purposes was also developed and is presented in the report. (Author)