A Complex Adaptive Systems Approach to the Future Operational Environment

Abstract

Military and political leaders often claim that we are facing a complex future, but do not specify why this is so. Is the world truly becoming more complex? If so, why and how is it becoming more complex? This monograph uses multidisciplinary analysis and synthesis to answer these questions. Using these tools, it develops a complex adaptive systems view to explain the underlying trends that drive changes in the operational environment, from the micro to the macro. Increasing growth of technological capability provides an incredible integrating capability that allows for individual and group development. The tempo and tendencies of this relationship result in an operational environment that is increasingly diverse, particularized, and subject to rapid change. Rather than a flat world, the operational environment is shown to be an increasingly differentiated, dancing landscape that requires creative, flexible, and agile responses from the Joint force.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 2014
Accession Number
ADA611766

Entities

People

  • Nathan M. Colvin

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Science
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Cognitive Workload
  • Complex Adaptive Systems
  • Geography
  • Human Behavior
  • Information Systems
  • International Relations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Network Science
  • Neurons
  • Psychology
  • Recreation
  • Social Media

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.