Two Theories of Process Design for Information Superiority: Smart Pull vs. Smart Push
Abstract
This paper examines how information should flow among networked entities in Network-Centric Operations and Warfare (NCOW). In particular, should the entities actively seek, acquire, and process relevant information, or should they wait to react to information that others send to them? In short, should they pull information, or should they rely upon others to push information to them? In most tactical contexts, "smart push" will improve efficiency by orders of magnitude compared to "smart pull." This analysis reveals that efficient information processing chains require a general capability to watch for key events. Humans and the computer applications supporting them will use this capability to detect events matching conditions of interest they specify. This capability plays a key role in transforming networks into integrated value chains. Where traditional networks aim at supporting unregulated exchanges for data bit flows best suited to random access and unpredictable process sequences, the capability to delegate condition monitoring enables one to transform networks into conveyers of timely, valuable information. To maximize efficiency, one must use processes in which each successive step receives information just as valuable as its input. Thus, condition monitoring and its associated "smart push" constitute a required foundation for the efficient process chains needed to achieve information superiority. Seventeen briefing charts summarize the presentation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA461578
Entities
People
- Rick Hayes-roth
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School