CMAS (Configurable Multi-Agent System) is a multi-agent-based plug-and-produce system being developed at University West. As the name implies, being configurable is a significant feature of the system. In this degree project, a user-friendly configuration tool requirement specification and prototype software were developed based on graphical user interface design principles and a workshop.

The specified configuration tool has a tabbed interface and a tree view for navigation. Charts are used to get a better overview of the configuration. Input controls that limit user inputs were selected to lessen the risk of input mistakes.

The CMAS system includes a concept called process plans. They are used to program the skills of the software agents and to create plans for reaching an agent’s goal. A visual programming interface based on dynamic forms was created to make the tool more approachable for users unfamiliar with programming and to reduce syntax and logical mistakes when configuring process plans.

To ensure that the configuration tool is useable, the prototype software was used to create a configuration from a test scenario.