Date of Award

3-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Michael E. Miller, PhD

Abstract

Skilled maintainers are being lost at a higher rate than average of all enlisted career fields within the Air Force. Although incentive programs can provide some retention, attrition rates may continue to vary, placing the readiness of the warfighter in jeopardy. Additionally, the technologies used to train maintainers have evolved substantially, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions, among others. These technologies have recently gained notoriety as novel ways to increase training effectiveness, providing avenues for maintainers to achieve greater skill levels at a faster rate than traditional platforms. Through semi-structured subject matter expert (SME) interviews, this qualitative research investigated the relationships between training technologies, methods, and student learning objectives to build a tool for organizations deciding between training alternatives. The results provided important attributes of training system alternatives to use in a total value function for cost-utility estimation and information on common problems requiring a training-based solution. Key findings also included SME input about the best training technology combinations for each training method and data demonstrating that value is a function of learning objectives. Together, these findings give maintenance organizations an initial roadmap on how to decide between training system alternatives using the value-focused thinking (VFT) framework.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-22-M-243

DTIC Accession Number

AD1174086

Download

Share

COinS