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Terms of Reference 

MORS Mini-Symposium
New Techniques:
A Better Understanding of their Application to Analysis
19-21 November 2002
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

1. Purpose

This mini-symposium will focus on new techniques such as Complex Adaptive Systems, Simulated Annealing, Tabu Search, etc. (topics that are currently popular at MCCDC, J-8, and elsewhere).  A message resounding from several of our senior leaders in military OR is that OR analysts need a better understanding of current developments in new techniques such as these as they apply to military OR.  The target audience for this mini-symposium includes both OR analysts and OR managers, since they also need a good solid understanding of current developments in these new techniques.

MORS held a previous Workshop on Warfare Analysis Complexity, 15-17 September 1997, at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL), Laurel, Maryland, with 165 people attending.  As stated in the report, “The primary goal was simply to familiarize participants with the new sciences and to encourage discussion about their relevance to military operations research.” 

In the past several years, the organizing committees for the MORS annual symposia have had many potential topics for Tutorials but found that scheduling them to get maximum attendance is difficult because of so many conflicting events at the symposia.  Compounding this problem is the fact that it’s hard to cover Tutorials on scientific applications in one hour. The state-of-the-art of our profession in terms of tools and techniques are advancing rapidly and so many of our members need an opportunity to catch up on the latest topics and techniques.

The purpose of the mini-symposium of Tutorials is to further the professional development of our members by offering educational sessions on the most current scientific topics in our military OR profession.  By having a Special Meeting that is nothing but Tutorials, we can ensure more analysts attend and gain a solid understanding of new techniques.

2. Type of Special Meeting

This will be a three day Mini-Symposium.  Each day will focus on a distinct Tutorial topic. The Tutorials will be on specific analytical techniques—e.g., Agent-Based Models (ABM), Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS), Genetic Algorithms (GA), Simulated Annealing (SA), Tabu Search (TS), Evolutionary Programming (EP), Statistical Resampling (SR) and Data Mining (DM)—and not on particular tools (e.g., JWARS, JSIMS, Model-X).

The format of each Tutorial will be theoretical presentations in the JHU/APL Kossiakoff Center auditorium interspersed with hands-on exercises in the adjacent classrooms.  Note that classrooms will have to be vacated at 1530 due to evening classes held in them—mini-symposium participants will return to the auditorium for the final session of each day.

3. Proposed Milestone Schedule

TOR approved – Jun '02 (approved at the 70th MORSS)—done.
Committee formed and start meeting – Jul '02—first meeting was held 08 July 02.

4. Products

An article summarizing the meeting will be submitted to PHALANX within 3 months.  A CD including briefings and training materials will be distributed to attendees within 2 months.  Consideration will be given to publishing a special issue of the Military Operations Research journal or to adding a new section to the MORS Analysts Handbook.

5. Administrative Details 

Dates: 19-21 November 2002

Location: Kossiakoff Center, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD

Registration fees:

$200.00      U.S. Federal Government Employees
$400.00      Others

Classification: Unclassified

Organizing Committee

Co-Chairs: Dr. Roy Rice, PP, and Dr. Bob Sheldon, PP

Technical Chair:  Lt Col Greg McIntyre, JWARS Program Office

Sponsor Interest:  Mr. Vince Roske, FS, J8; Dr. Jackie Henningsen, FS, AFSAA; and Dr. Al Brandstein, Northrop Grumman

Directors from Academia:  Rick Rosenthal (NPS), Andy Loerch (GMU), LTC Willie McFadden and COL Mike McGinnis (USMA)

Prospective Tutorial Leads and their areas of interest/expertise:

Tutorial #1 – Agent-Based Models and Complex Adaptive Systems

COL William Carlton (USMA) – ABM/CAS, TS

 Lt Col Ray Hill (AFIT) – ABM, SA, TS

Tutorial #2 – Optimization Heuristics

Lt Col Greg McIntyre, JWARS Program Office

 Lt Col Ray Hill (AFIT) – ABM, SA, TS

Tutorial #3 - Statistical Resampling and Data Mining

Greg Hutto (53rd Wing) – SR

Prof Tom Lucas (NPS) – SR, DM

Other MORS members volunteering to act as instructors and classroom assistants, and their areas of interest/expertise:

Lt Col Darrall Henderson (USMA) – ABM

Maj Lance Champagne (AFIT)

Steve Upton (MITRE) – ABM, EP, GA

Sarah Johnson (MITRE) – ABM

Mary McDonald (SAIC) - ABM

Lt Col Pete Vanden Bosch (36 EWS) – SR

MAJ Rob Kewley (CAA) – ABM, EP, DM

Maj Tom Irish (AMC/XPY) – SR

Dr. Mike Cochrane (Army Transportation Engineering Agency) - DM

Jeff Cares (Alidade) – ABM, CAS

Julian Palmore (UI) - ABM

6. Tentative Agenda

 

Tuesday, 19 November 2002

 

0700

Registration

 

0830

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks – Dr. Roy Rice

 

0840

MORS Welcome, Ted Smyth, MORS President

 

0845

Technical Introduction – Lt Col Greg McIntyre

 

0900

Tutorial #1 – Agent-Based Models and Complex Adaptive Systems

 

1000

Break

 

1030

Tutorial #1 – Agent-Based Models and Complex Adaptive Systems continued

 

1200

Lunch

 

1300

Tutorial #1 – Agent-Based Models and Complex Adaptive Systems continued

 

1530

Break

 

1545

Tutorial #1 – Agent-Based Models and Complex Adaptive Systems concluded in Auditorium

 

1700

Adjourn for the day

 

1700-1830

Mixer

 

 

 

Wednesday, 20 November 2002

 

0715

Continental Breakfast

 

0830

Tutorial #2 – Optimization Heuristics (Genetic Algorithms, Simulated Annealing, Tabu Search, Evolutionary Programming)

 

1000

Break

 

1030

Tutorial #2 – Optimization Heuristics continued

 

1200

Lunch

 

1300

Tutorial #2 – Optimization Heuristics continued

 

1530

Break

 

1545

Tutorial #2 – Optimization Heuristics concluded in Auditorium

 

1700

Adjourn for the day

 

Thursday, 21 November 2002

0715

Continental Breakfast

0830

Tutorial #3 - Statistical Resampling and Data Mining

1000

Break

1030

Tutorial #3 - Statistical Resampling and Data Mining continued

1200

Lunch

1300

Tutorial #3 - Statistical Resampling and Data Mining concluded

1530

Wrap Up (Auditorium)

1600

Adjourn

 

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Last modified: November 27, 2002