An Exploratory Study of the Air Force's Technical IT Infrastructure Flexibility

Abstract

The Air Force presently spends more than $4.9 billion annually on information technology (IT). However, the IT infrastructure has been identified as inappropriate for supporting the Air Force mission. To improve this situation the Air Force has identified infrastructure flexibility as key to future success. To find the level of flexibility, this study measured the perception of Air Force communications, computer, and information career field members (33SX and 3COX2 career fields) on the level of IT infrastructure modularity (data modularity and application modularity) and integration (platform compatibility and network connectivity). This thesis looked at two constructs that indicate IT infrastructure flexibility-modularity and integration. A survey was sent to communication, computer, and information career field members to measure the degree of modularity and integration. Based on respondents views, the Air Force's IT infrastructure does have some areas of flexibility, but other areas indicate very low flexibility. A primary concern is the flexibility of the Air Force's data and applications. Responses to both data flexibility and application flexibility survey questions consistently indicated low flexibility. The responses suggest the Air Force could achieve greater flexibility by turning its attention to database issues such as variety and adaptability of database protocols. Communications and platform flexibility are partially supported. Results indicate that reducing communication bottlenecks and fewer steps for accessing data from external end user locations could enable greater flexibility. Senior and Junior IT leaders only diverged on one area of flexibility. Senior leaders had a higher rating on the number of entry points or interfaces available to external end users.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 26, 2002
Accession Number
ADA400809

Entities

People

  • Yashua W. Gustafson

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Application Software
  • Communication Channels
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Database Management Systems
  • Databases
  • Electronic Mail
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Local Area Networks
  • National Security
  • Network Science
  • Operating Systems
  • United States Pacific Command
  • Warfare
  • Word Processors

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Organizational Psychology.