Information Technology - Information Overload for Strategic Leaders
Abstract
Technology has provided senior leaders with a plethora of "battlefield" information literally at their fingertips. Thousands of miles from the fight,"reachback" capability has provided senior leaders near real time information in the decision-making process. With the advent of technology, information has grown from an insightful strategic leadership tool to one that has burdened leaders with information overload. The tradeoff of this proliferation of information is the possibility of increased stress for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as well as the blending of operational and tactical levels of war. Information technology has also eroded the concept of centralized control and decentralized execution. This paper seeks to identify weaknesses associated with information technology and increase the awareness of its undesired effects. The paper will first describe systems essential to network - centric warfare and then transition to the drawbacks information overload, a product of network - centric warfare has on operators, senior leaders and organizations. It will conclude with considerations needed to ensure information technology is seen as a commodity and not a detriment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431929
Entities
People
- Anthony J. Cotton
Organizations
- United States Army War College