Perspectives on the Utility of Systems Science in the Army

Abstract

This report presents the results of a conference designed to develop consensus on a workable definition of systems science, determine its potential for solution of Army problems, and develop recommendations for further work if such seems warranted. Conferees made a distinction between systems science (an emerging discipline) and systems approach (a body of systematic technologies). Areas of potential application were identified as those characterized by complexity (in systems of people, equipment, and missions), ongoing change (in structure or components), information flows, and decision making (especially where relevant information is imprecise, uncertain, incomplete, unreliable, partially inconsistent, or any combination of these). Two areas recommended as having payoff for further work were: (a) The assessment of battalion operations/effectiveness and (b) The design of complex systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA148608

Entities

People

  • Edgar M. Johnson
  • T. O. Jacobs

Organizations

  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Agreements
  • Artillery
  • Complex Systems
  • Doctrine
  • Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Leadership
  • Military Research
  • Operations Research
  • Personnel Management
  • Social Sciences
  • Systems Approach
  • Systems Engineering
  • Systems Science
  • Tactical Data Systems
  • Training

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Systems Analysis and Design