The Agile Organization: From Informal Networks to Complex Effects and Agility
Abstract
Agility is the gold standard for Information Age militaries. Facing uncertain futures and new sets of threats in a complex, dynamic, and challenging security environment, militaries around the world are transforming themselves, becoming more information-enabled and network-centric. Command and control is at the heart of these transformations. Traditional approaches to command and control are being questioned, as new approaches are being explored. Perhaps the most significant aspect of this nascent revolution in how militaries organize, operate, and think about themselves and their adversaries is the change in the criteria for success. Traditional militaries and military analysis focus squarely on mission effectiveness for a set of selected missions (approved planning scenarios). Information Age militaries searching for a way to deal with the complexities, uncertainties, and risks associated with the 21st century security environment are discovering the virtues of agility, not only as a core competency in operations, but as a value metric for policy and investment decisions. This book, "The Agile Organization," explores the nature and behaviors of different kinds of networked enterprises and their implications for military organizations. The book is an indicator of the growing recognition that new organizational forms and approaches to command and control are needed to meet the security challenges of the 21st century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA457169
Entities
People
- James Moffat
- Simon R. Atkinson
Organizations
- United States Assistant Secretary of Defense