Decision Superiority: Transforming National Security Decision-Making
Abstract
The world's most technologically advanced and capable nation has a dark secret. Despite the ultra-precise nature of the United States' weapons of war, decisions about when and how to use this lethal instrument of power are often the result of undocumented processes which emerge spontaneously, are mostly personality driven, and evolve in a near data-free environment. Despite the fact that an increasing amount of information is available, decisions to use force are often made without a process that relates quantitative and qualitative factors. Presidents have made serious decisions throughout history without innovative processes to assist them, but today's security environment is increasingly complex, dangerous, and quick moving. Today's decisions are executed quickly, in near-real-time, and impact at multiple levels. Senior decision-makers must make very costly decisions without a framework to assist them in understanding the full context and level of risk at that particular point in time. The interagency process needs to push toward Decision Superiority, a decision environment that ensures any US president will be able to quickly assess alternative courses of action in an appropriate context and relate them to a strategic vision. This paper argues for a transformation in national security decision-making that would leverage existing decision support methodologies to support complex decision-making about the use of force. This thesis applies broadly to all decisions about the use of force, but is especially important concerning President Bush's current responsibility to make decisions about employing nuclear weapons in the context of growing chemical, biological and nuclear threats to the US.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA442501
Entities
People
- Lisa Disbrow
Organizations
- National War College