Resource Allocation

Many shipboard operations involve scheduling of resources or hardware (such as power or the use of sensors) that affect a number of departments. In many such cases, it is common for various operations to present conflicting requirements. It is the responsibility of the Operations Management Officer (normally referred to as the Chief Operations Officer or Operations) to coordinate such activities so that mission goals are not jeopardized. Having a crew member in this decision-making loop is a crucial importance because of the wide range of unpredictable situations with which a starship must deal.

The Operations panel presents the Chief Operations Officer with a continually updated list of current major shipboard activities. This list permits Operations to set priorities and allocate resources among current operations. This is especially critical in cases where two or more requests require the use of the same equipment, entail mutually exclusive mission profiles, or involve some unusual safety or tactical considerations.

An example might be a situation where the Stellar Physics department is conducting an experiment using the lateral sensor array to study a nearby binary star. Simultaneously, part of the same array is being time-shared with a long range commentary population survey. A request from the bridge for a priority scan of a planetary system might jeopardize both studies unless Operations authorizes a minor change in ship’s attitude, permitting the Stellar Physics observations to use the upper sensor array. Alternatively, Operations may weigh the option of placing one of the ongoing studies on a lower priority to provide the bridge with immediate use of the lateral array.

Determining Priorities and Essentials

Most routine scheduling and resource allocation is done automatically by the Operations program. This frees the Chief Operations Officer from routine activity, leaving him/her able to concentrate on decisions beyond the scope of the artificial intelligence software. The level of these decision filter programs can be set by the Chief Operations Officer, and also varies with the Alert status of the ship.

In cases where priorities are ambiguous or where specific Operations approval is required, the panel will display a menu of the most probable options for actions. IN virtually all cases, the Chief Operations Officer also has the ability to input choices beyond those presented by the action menus. This is important because it is impossible for mission planners to anticipate every possible situation. Action menus may be displayed for any current activity (even those which would normally be handled automatically) upon keyboard request from Operations. During crisis situations and Reduces Power Mode operations, Operations is responsible for supervision of power allocation in coordination with the Engineering department. Load scheduling on nonessential power usage in such situations is based on spacecraft survival factors and mission priorities.

The Chief Operations Officer is also responsible for providing general status information to the main computer, which is then made available to all departments and personnel. Operations routes specific information to specific departments to inform them of anticipated changes and requirements that may affect their operations.

The example is a scenario where an Away Team is to be sent on a mission to a planetary surface. Typical Operations responsibilities might include:

• Notification of Away Team personnel of the assignment and providing said personnel with mission objective information. When Away Team personnel are drawn from operational departments, Operations will sometimes coordinate to provide cross-trained personnel from other departments.
• Assignment of comm. relay frequencies and preparations to monitor Away Team tricorder telemetry.
• Notification for issuance and accommodation of tricorders, phasers, environmental gear, and other mission-specific equipment.
• Assignment of personnel transporter room to handle transport operations, as well as the assignment of a transporter chief to the mission. If available, Operations will also provide transport coordinates to the transporter chief.

Such notifications are generally accomplished automatically without the need for active intervention by Operations. However, because preprogrammed functions cannot be expected to anticipate all possible situations, Operations is responsible for monitoring all such coordination activity and for taking additional action if necessary. Such flexibility is particularly important during alert and crisis scenarios, during which unpredictable and unplanned conditions must frequently be dealt with.

Emergency Situations

For more information, see Alert Status.

The Main Bridge is directly responsible for the supervision of all primary mission functions. Through the Chief Operations Officer, the bridge also monitors all secondary mission functions to provide an optimal operating state. The multimission operational profile of the ship requires extensive coordination between different departments.

Bridge Operations During Alert Conditions

• Cruise Mode – This is the normal operating status of the spacecraft. Cruise mode operating rules require a minimum bridge staff of Commanding Officer (typically the Captain), Flight Control Officer, Operations Officer, and at least one other officer available to serve as tactical or other stations as required. Other stations may be attended as specific mission requirements dictate.
• Yellow Alert – During Yellow Alert condition, all active bridge stations are automatically brought to Full Enable Mode. Auto diagnostics (Level 4) are initiated for all primary and tactical systems. Operations is responsible for evaluating all current operations and shipboard activities and suspending any that may interfere with ship’s readiness to respond to potential crisis situations.
• Red Alert - All tactical and long-range sensors arrays are brought to full operational status. Secondary mission use of sensor elements is discontinued, except with the approval of Operations.

Red Alert can be invoked by the Commanding Officer, Operations Manage, Chief Engineer, or the Tactical Officer. Additionally, the main computer can automatically invoke Red Alert Status in some cases upon detection of certain type of unknown spacecraft, as well as upon detection of certain types of critical malfunctions or system failures. In such cases, the automatic declaration of Red Alert status is subject to review by the Commanding Officer.

Reduced Power Mode

When reduced Power Mode is invoked, a level 5 system analysis is performed for the entire spacecraft, with the results made available to the Commanding Officer, the Chief Engineer, and the Chief Operations Officer. The purpose of this analysis is to determine an overall energy budget for the spacecraft, to help plan power allocations that will minimize operational compromises.

Hourly energy budget and consumption reports to be made by the Chief Operations Officer to the Chief Engineer and the Commanding Officer.

All use of tactical and lateral sensor arrays for secondary mission to be discontinued, except where deemed essential by the Chief Operations Officer.

Use of Recreational Facilities

The holodeck and other recreational facilities are vital to the emotional well being of the crew, especially on long missions without a port of call. Operations is responsible for overseeing the scheduling and appropriate use of these facilities, especially if the occupants are guests and/or civilians. Some priorities in schedule are used. For instance, the CO and XO have first priority followed by the senior staff in regard to their rank. This is due to the idea that because of their duties, relaxation time is scarce and any time they have available should be given to them.

After the senior and command staff, all other personnel are treated on a first come first served basis regardless of rank or position. Except when ordered by the medical staff, any ‘prescriptions’ for the use of the recreational facilities will always be given top priority even over the senior staff.