http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1909517881

Cognitive Processes in Planning

We propose a model of the planning process. Planning is the predetermination of a course of action aimed at achieving a goal. The model assumes that planning comprises the activities of a variety of cognitive 'specialists.' Each specialist can suggest certain kinds of decisions for incorporation into the plan in progress. These include decisions about: (a) how to approach the planning problem; (b) what knowledge bears on the problem; (c) what kinds of actions to try to plan; (d) what specific actions to plan; and (e) how to allocate cognitive resources during planning. Within each of these categories, different specialists suggest decisions at different levels of abstraction. The activities of the various specialists are not coordinated in any systematic way. Instead, the specialists operate opportunistically, suggesting decisions whenever promising opportunities arise. We present a detailed account of the model and illustrate its assumptions with a 'thinking aloud' protocol. We also contrast the model with earlier models of planning and discuss implications for future research. (Author).

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