Adaptive diagnostics and personalized technical support (ADAPTS)

Short of a self-healing system, a maintenance technician ultimately assumes responsibility for isolating and correcting a system problem. Supporting the technician with a realistic diagnostic strategy and relevant, understandable technical information is the key to successful problem resolution. Basing that support on a dynamic assessment of the technician's knowledge, experience, preferences, and work context is the focus of the Adaptive Diagnostics and Personalized Technical Support (ADAPTS) project. ADAPTS provides an intelligent, adaptive electronic performance support system for maintaining complex equipment. ADAPTS maintains a dynamic characterization of a technician's knowledge, experience, and preferences in the form of a user model. This model determines the diagnostic strategy, technical information content, and hypermedia navigation offered to technicians. The ADAPTS architecture represents the next generation of on-the-job maintenance aids that seamlessly integrates diagnostic systems, interactive electronic technical manuals, and computer-based training all adapted to a technician's level of expertise.