Control Theory Perspective of Effects-Based Thinking and Operations: Modelling "Operations" as a Feedback Control System

Abstract

This paper explores operations that involve effects-based thinking (EBT) using Control Theory techniques in order to highlight the concept's fundamental characteristics in a simple and straightforward manner. It provides some background to EBT, and presents three formal definitions for effects-based approaches to operations (EBAO). This paper shows that Control Theory is a useful framework for studying effects-based concepts. A specific EBAO concept was modelled using Control Theory techniques. This analysis has exposed key functions for operations and key tenets for effects-based thinking as listed below: Key Functions for Operations from a Control Theory Perspective: Planning, Assessment, Execution, Decision-making, and Analysis. Organization and Technology structures must be designed to support these functions. Key Tenets of Effects-Based Thinking from a Control Theory Perspective: * Effects are higher-level states (or changes in state) of the world. * Effects span the entire range of human endeavours (political, social, etc.). * Desired effects can be decomposed as a means-end hierarchy. * Effects are planned for and assessed explicitly. * Relationships between actions and effects are often complex. * Control Theory provides both proactive and reactive feedback mechanisms that drive current effects towards their desired values. Control Theory was used to model EBT concepts and operations, and provide a theoretical basis so that effective system designs can be developed. It is hoped that this new way of looking at EBT operations will provide a framework for continued discussion and investigation of the ideas through mathematical analysis, constructive simulation, and human-in-the-loop experimentation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA475344

Entities

People

  • Philip S. Farrell

Organizations

  • Defence Research and Development Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Software
  • Command And Control
  • Control Systems
  • Control Systems Engineering
  • Control Theory
  • Differential Equations
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • International Trade
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Military Organizations
  • Organizational Structure
  • Psychology
  • Simulations
  • Situational Awareness
  • Thinking

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.