Modelling personnel within a defence logistics maintenance process

ABSTRACT

In a military deployment, the operational availability of deployed equipment will be affected by many factors including equipment usage rates, sparing policy, and importantly the composition and distribution of maintenance personnel. In this paper, we present a Coloured Petri Net model that captures the potentially complex defence logistics maintenance process that links these factors together. We simulate this model with the CPN Tools simulator and identify a number of simulation performance concerns related to the incorporation of personnel in the model. A number of alternative models of personnel are evaluated in an attempt to attain a level of simulation performance from CPN Tools that is acceptable for business reviews and headquarter operations planning. Finally, we present some directions for future investigation to improve simulation performance further.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.6 SIMULATION AND MODELING

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.2 Types of Systems
          Subjects: Logistics; Decision support (e.g., MIS)

General Terms:
Experimentation, Performance

Keywords:
coloured petri nets, maintenance, models of personnel, simulation performance