Speed Versus Accuracy: A Zero Sum Game

Abstract

Accuracy maintains the required credibility for an effective information strategy. Speed provides current, relevant information to inform and influence key populations. The requirement and role of speed and accuracy create a zero sum game in information strategy. With the importance of information in today's irregular warfare environment, an effective information strategy is based on decentralization. Operations planned and conducted and the daily interactions of the units and Soldiers on the ground must send the organization's message. Only then can an information strategy maintain the speed to enable and enhance action and bolster the organization's credibility due to enhanced operational effectiveness. This paper examines the requirement for and the role of speed and accuracy in informing and influencing key audiences. It provides an overview of how the enemy uses information; the enemy's strategy to disrupt U.S. operations; and the application of Boyd's OODA loop in defeating the enemy's strategy. It concludes with a recommendation for an information strategy developed to overcome the speed versus accuracy dilemma and increase operational effectiveness.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 11, 2009
Accession Number
ADA508311

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey L. Scott

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • New York
  • Operational Effectiveness
  • Propaganda
  • Psychological Operations
  • Psychology
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Communications
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Game Theory.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design