978-1-4799-5937-2/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 145 Abstract - Current manufacturing scheduling has still difficulties to deal with real-world situations and, hence, human intervention is required to maintain real-time adaptation and optimization, to efficiently adapt to the inherent complex system dynamics. In this paper the prototype of an Adaptive Decision Support System for Interactive Scheduling with MetaCognition and User Modeling Experience (ADSyS) is proposed. A preliminary usability evaluation was streamlined to collect user’s opinion about the system performance and interaction model. Keywords – Dynamic Scheduling; Human-Computer Interaction; User Modeling; Learning; Optimization; Usability. I. INTRODUCTION challenge is emerging in the design of scheduling decision support systems for manufacturing environments, where dynamic adaptation and optimization is becoming increasingly important in incorporating expert’s knowledge and experience. Scheduling is one of the most interesting and complex problems, leading to a significant effort from the R&D community. Several optimization tools have been developed and some of them were applied to real world Manufacturing Systems. Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Expert Systems are two approaches widely used to generate schedules using experience or expert knowledge. Current manufacturing scheduling still has difficulties in real-world situations and, hence, human intervention is required to maintain real-time adaptation and optimization, to efficiently adapt to the inherent complex system dynamics. This work investigates the development of Learning-Assisted Intelligent Scheduling Systems that use active learning by experience or even by observation of expert's decisions. It will be provided with the ability to define its intelligence and the user is able to select the level of experience according to business requirements. The motivation for this arises from the requirement of developing approaches that should be able to adaptively control, coordinate and optimize, addressing the several challenges presented on complex real-world problems (RWP). By using advanced algorithms, modeling and services, we intend to provide the decision maker with the conditions to make the right choices when and where they are significant for the business. Regardless the numerous advances in DSS and Multi-agent systems (MAS) for scheduling [1-14], most development systems still require that users have extensive knowledge of programming techniques, as well as the specific computer system at hand. At this point, we identify as relevant for this project the integration of the paradigms: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), DSS for scheduling, MAS, Machine Learning (ML), Autonomic Computing (AC) and Nature Inspired Optimization (NIO). The prototype of an Adaptive Decision Support System for Interactive Scheduling with MetaCognition and User Modeling Experience (ADSyS) is proposed. The system architecture is explained and the preliminary usability evaluation considering interaction is described. The remaining sections are organized as follows: section II summarizes some literature review on Real World Scheduling, Human-Computer Interaction and User Modeling. Section III describes the architecture for Adaptive Decision Support System for Interactive Scheduling with MetaCognition and User Modeling Experience. In section IV, the prototype usability evaluation is exposed. Finally, the paper presents some conclusions and puts forward some ideas for future work. II. LITERATURE REVIEW This section presents some insights about Real-World Scheduling, Human-Computer Interaction and User Modeling. A. Real-World Scheduling Scheduling function in a manufacturing organization is outlined and integrated in the global management decision system, considering the diverse organizational levels, their functional perspective or the integration of functions and business processes. DSS are considered essential to adequately support globalization strategies and reengineering business processes toward the achievement of competitive advantages, with impact on cost reduction, differentiation and innovation strategies, promoting and facilitating relations with business partners and potential customers. Scheduling, as a decision-making process, plays an important role in most manufacturing systems as well as in most information processing environments. “MANUFUTURE-a vision for 2020” is a strategic document summarizing the High Level Group’s (European Commission) recommendations, identifies some concerns at ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the EU Prototype of an Adaptive Decision Support System for Interactive Scheduling with MetaCognition and User Modeling Experience A. Madureira, S. Gomes, B. Cunha, J.P. Pereira, J. M. Santos, I. Pereira GECAD - Knowledge Engineering and Decision Support Research Center School of Engineering from Polytechnic of Porto (ISEP/IPP) Porto, Portugal {amd,srpgo,bmaca,jjp,jms,iaspe}@isep.ipp.pt A