The problem the designers of a GIDS system are facing is the explosive complexity of the task space within which the system is operating. Formally GIDS is dealing with a five-dimensional space: situation x task x function x driver characteristics x I/O mode. In this chapter the constraints imposed by this space on the actual GIDS design are discussed and it is argued that the choices made to reduce the space to manageable proportions do, in fact, retain the fundamental aspects of the GIDS concept. First the considerations underlying the choice of theoretical and practical constraints are elaborated. The actual constraints on the GIDS prototype design are then specified. A review is provided of the situations, task elements, support functions, interface characteristics, and individual factors that comprise the Small World paradigm. The constraining factors on the implementation of the GIDS system are then discussed. The next section deals with the concept of adaptivity as a design principle. Adaptivity constitutes the basic feature of the 'intelligence' of the GIDS architecture. The chapter concludes with a brief section, summarising the boundary conditions for the design of the GIDS prototype. For the covering abstract see IRRD 859107.
Abstract