Engineering Design Theory: Applying the Success of the Modern World to Campaign Creation

Abstract

This monograph directly addresses design, and incorporates elements of Engineering Design Theory to the codified, social act of campaign creation using art, science, and craft. The monograph gives a definition of design and discusses the appropriate language for design. Furthermore, design is expressed as the evolution of military craft, and a blending of military art and military science. Therefore, the monograph is staunchly pro-design, and presents the incorporation of design thinking at the operational and strategic levels as a moral imperative. The argument that MDMP or JOPP are appropriate for the creation of strategy is rejected herein, and design is presented as the next manifestation of campaign creation. Engineering Design, as a theory of social creation, recommends a cultural shift away from single authorship or commander centric leadership. Engineering philosophy, which examines social creation, bounded rationality (stochasticity), competitive creation, risk and safety, intentionality, and methodology, is directly analogous to the needs of military campaign philosophy. The engineering methodology of proceeding through the cognitive phases of divergence, transformation, and convergence is explicated in a way that should inform military thinking. Finally, there is an introduction to appropriate design team size, the design charrette, and design methods (some of which are included in Appendix I).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 2009
Accession Number
ADA505036

Entities

People

  • Xander L. Bullock

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cognition
  • Complex Systems
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Applications
  • Military Art
  • Military Science
  • Psychology
  • Students
  • Systems Engineering
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Software Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design