CF Procedures and Practices Involving Information Aggregation

Abstract

The operational effectiveness of the Canadian Forces (CF) depends on being able to make timely and appropriate decisions. Decision making can benefit from full knowledge of all variables involved in the decision. However in a practical setting, especially under time constraints, an individual rarely has access to all relevant information or may find it difficult to judge the reliability of all the information. To manage the information demands that arise out of complex situations, expertise is often divided among several people who are knowledgeable in their field, and therefore can contribute only what they know about a situation. Hence, information must be combined from several sources to compose the big picture before an appropriate decision can be reached. Good aggregation methods allow each expert to express their opinions and appropriately weigh each option to produce the final aggregated decision. The Canadian Forces (CF) actively engages in information aggregation related activities. In situations of peace, conflict and war, the CF carries out a series of sub activities performed by experts, automated systems, and groups representing a variety of disciplines. Successful mission accomplishment is dependent on aggregating the outcomes of these sub activities and executing accordingly to achieve strategic goals. Although CF operations exhibit information aggregation related activities, there is a lack of information regarding the aggregation methods currently used by the CF. In order to bridge gaps in knowledge, this report examines information aggregation and its related activities from two CF perspectives: the Intelligence Cycle (IC) and the Operational Planning Process (OPP). Accordingly, a doctrinal review and Subject Matter Expert (SME) interviews were conducted. The purpose of the doctrinal review was to identify CF procedures that were rich in information aggregation related activities.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA477143

Entities

People

  • F. Bandali
  • L. Bruyn
  • L. Rehak
  • Nicolas Berger
  • R. Keeble
  • R. Vokac
  • R. Zobarich
  • Tabbeus Lamoureux

Organizations

  • HumanSystems Incorporated

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Defense
  • Command And Control
  • Control Systems
  • Employment
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Health Services
  • Intelligence Cycle
  • International Trade
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Risk Analysis
  • Situational Awareness
  • Surveillance
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.