Williams, Richard Vernon (1992) Development of a goal management system. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis describes the development of the Goal Management System (GMS), a computer program designed to support goal­setting, planning and performance monitoring. The particular implementation described here is intended primarily for use in an organisational context.
Chapter 2 discusses the treatment of goals as a topic in Artificial Intelligence, Psychology and Management Science.
A broadly "knowledge-based" account of goal-related processes is derived from this discussion.
Chapter 3 assesses the impact of the "symbols vs. neurons" debate upon the viability of a purely knowledge-based model. It is concluded that knowledge-based paradigms are useful for the description of knowledge structures, but that there are good reasons for assuming that they cannot provide an adequate account of the dynamics of knowledge (that is, the processes by which one structure is transformed into another). Therefore, it is appropriate that a systems designer should solve the problems of modelling structures before tackling the (perhaps insurmountable) problems of modelling dynamics.
Chapter A considers the implications of "strategic" vs. "value-driven" models of planning. It is concluded that "value-driven" processing is the norm, while "strategic" processing is the exception, but is more likely to provide an appropriate response to radical changes in the planner's environment. A Goal Management System would support the increasing requirement for a strategic approach.
Chapters 5, 6 and 7 describe the detailed design and implementation of the system.
Chapter 8 describes a few of the practical applications of the system, and discusses ways in which the design could be improved. It is concluded that the basic design concept is correct, and that there is a useful role for this type of system.
Chapter 9 evaluates the project as a whole and suggests directions for future research.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Computer software -- Development -- Computer programs, Computer programming -- Psychological aspects, Management science -- Computer simulation, Technological innovations
Official Date:	October 1992
Dates:	Date Event October 1992 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Psychology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Thomas, Russell, Jones, Gregory V.(Psychology professor)
Extent:	2 volumes (ix, [715] leaves
Language:	eng

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