There are described the place of mental simulation in the structure of competences of high-level specialist. The representation of this structure was formed theoretically and based on a current economic situation in Ukraine. There was established the range of methodological problems which attend the definition of the nature and implementation of mental simulation. The possibility of research quality and productivity in cartography (considered as a branch of production) including the development of mental simulation methods are considered.
The terminological principle was pointed as a basis of the review of previous works. Accordingly to this principle there are studied the publications which have the words in titles, abstracts and keywords associated with the object of study. As a result there are selected the subject areas in which occurs «mental model» phrase. The correlation with the research topic was verified. There was described this improvement using that we can define the target subject area. Taking this into consideration the existing publications was reviewed and the results of its distribution by subject areas are presented in the form of
two diagrams.
The terms which are resonate with scribed in the publication title are presented also as their definitions. They emphasize the difference with the research topic.
The primary role of the section «The article results» was given to the purpose recounting of this form of mental activity. There was stated the staged implementation of the technique of mental simulation. The comparison of studied process with the work of design process we presented in tabular form. Also we specified the advantages and disadvantages of mental modeling in comparison with other types of this activity.
In conclusion we indicated the importance of the introduction in this activity type for specialist professional development. There are given the definition of this term without affixment to a particular science or a branch of production, such as the economy or cartography. In the prospects are indicated some theoretical directions of optimization of the investigated process and is given the reference to competences which may be useful for its successful implementation.
Keywords: mental modeling, production, productivity, analysis, personal skills, competences, cartography, technology.