Web-Enable Doctrine: the evolution of a dynamic doctrine development process in the U.S. Navy

Abstract

The Navy envisions dynamic development process for doctrine that produces accessible, timely, and relevant doctrine for the Fleet. The Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) in Newport, RI, recently has implemented information technology tools in the doctrine development process, creating the concept of Web-Enabled Doctrine. This thesis analyzes Web-Enabled Doctrine as the next step forward in the evolution of a dynamic doctrine process. This thesis presents an historical study of doctrine in the U.S. Navy, a description of the Navy's doctrine development process over the past three decades, and an evaluation of the current system with respect to the characteristics of a dynamic process. Data on the current process and Web initiatives were gathered through interviews with current and former NWDC staff members. The results indicate that NWDC has increased the level of responsiveness in the process, thus improving the relevance and timeliness of doctrine. Recommendations are made for increased accessibility to the system and the migration towards emerging commercial Web standards XML.