Operational Art - Leveraging Information Technology
Abstract
The 1999 US National Security Strategy emphasizes the importance of information technology. However, the decisive point of all future military operations will continue to be the men and women of the armed services. Achieving a proper balance between technology and people is critical to our nation's security. The goal of this research was to answer the question: are there Information Technology Leverage Points within Operational Art? The research methodology has two phases. The research first defines a conceptual model using Senge's Systems Thinking theory. Senge has designed a blueprint for an organization where people expand their capacity to create results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, and where collective aspiration is set free. Looking at Operational Art as a system provides an opportunity to analyze processes, decision points, and points of data input and output. This systems analysis allowed the researcher to apply his individual and battle staff (group) perspectives during multiple operational and tactical exercises throughout the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and the School for Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) academic years. The answer to the research question is yes there are information technology leverage points within operational art, but not as many as initially anticipated. Through the use of intuition, mental models, and experience humans are able to sort through reasonable amounts of information to make a decision even with a complex problem. The operable word is reasonable amount of information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA381922
Entities
People
- Tedd A. Wheeler
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College