Human Dimensions Assessment of the Task Force XXI Advanced Warfighter Experiment

Abstract

The relative success of implementing technological changes in organizations is frequently related to the effectiveness of the technology implementation process itself. Consequently, when engaged in technological changes, organizations should monitor how the technology implementation process impacts employees. By monitoring this process, key decision makers are better able to determine the extent to which observed outcomes are due to new technology, per se, or are the by-product of changes in the work environment brought on by the technology implementation process. Human dimensions assessments are designed to monitor and record the human dimensions of changes that occur in the work environment. These assessments have been an important part of major Army initiatives since World War II. This human dimensions assessment quantified the impact of changes in the work environment of an experimental brigade-level task force (TF XXI) caused by an Advanced Warfighter Experiment (AWE). The TF XXI AWE was designed to investigate the potential for digitizing land combat forces. The digitization initiatives were highlighted by the fielding of new technology equipment, but included also changes in tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as some changes in organizational design. These digitization initiatives and the changes they caused in the work environment were examined for their impact on organizational effectiveness and on how participants perceived the AWE and their role in it. Based on a review of the literature, changes associated with the TF XXI AWE were expected to impact workload and the perceived meaningfulness of the work. Our data showed a large increase in the number of work hours reported by soldiers and leaders over the course of the AWE. The increase in work hours was most noticeable for Officers and was associated with an increase in work-family conflict for Officers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 07, 1998
Accession Number
ADA349889

Entities

People

  • Carl A. Castro
  • Paul D. Bliese
  • Richard E. Christ
  • Sandra M. Escolas

Organizations

  • Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Army Personnel
  • Combat Forces
  • Information Systems
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Military Science
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Task Forces
  • Training
  • Warfare
  • Workload

Readers

  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.