The Breakdown of the PC Paradigm: A Critical Look At Information Display Technology As An Analysis Inhibitor
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) has come to rely on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) acquisition as the primary means to introduce and upgrade computer technologies throughout the military. In adopting this approach, the personal computer (PC), based on a commercial, business-model design, has become a de-facto standard. Within the thesis, this common, and widely-accepted desktop computer environment is defined as the PC Paradigm and encompasses the typical office-suite software, the information display, and the use of the desktop metaphor as the user-interface. The author contends that this near-exclusive reliance on COTS technologies is based on market-driven, commercial product solutions rather than a "domain specific" system design that is optimized to support intelligence analysis. The thesis addresses the following research question: Could the current personal computer environment (characterized as the PC Paradigm) function as an analysis inhibitor, rather than as a tool to facilitate analysis? Key findings suggested that a "paradigm conflict" exists between the needs of intelligence analysis and the commercial, office-based persona! computer employing the desktop metaphor as a user interface. Additionally, COTS technology acquisition, and its associated commercial standards, have appeared to supplant a design process optimized for the needs of the intelligence analyst. Such an approach disregards domain specificity in favor of a generalized, "one-size-fits-all" product solution. The thesis concludes that the PC Paradigm environment does contribute to inhibited analysis. The current paradigm is not derived from cognitive ergonomic requirements unique to intelligence analysis, nor does it support the analytic methodologies widely regarded as "best practices" within the field. The author contends that domain relevance is lacking in business-model tools when applied to the problems of intelligence analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA458326
Entities
People
- Steven F. Rue
Organizations
- National Intelligence University