A QUEUEING MODEL OF INFORMATION FLOW IN A COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
To provide a methodology yielding quantitative results which may assist a commander and his staff in this analysis, it is proposed that the problem of the volume of information flow be treated by an application queueing theory; each command level within the system is considered to behave as a service counter, and the incoming volume of information is related to the concept of customers arriving for service. The information is the type which requires positive human attention and decision; it may be grouped into classes (depending on content), and may carry designations of priority (depending on urgency). Standard queueing parameters, results, and measures of effectiveness are re-defined in terms of the analogy proposed. Three queueing situations are presented which lend themselves to the analogy. The measures of effectiveness may be used by a military commander as performance standards for each command level within the system. The relation is shown between performance standards and the amount of information which may be handled at each command level in the system. Major conclusions are that (1) efficient performance at each command level is dependent primarily on the system commander's policy regarding the generation of information, and (2) that training may at times degrade system performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0483012
Entities
People
- A. D. Murphy
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School