Management principles to be considered for implementing a data base management system aboard U.S. Naval ships under the Shipboard Non-tactical ADP Program

Abstract

The increased administrative burden being placed upon the Fleet increasingly affects ship performance and personnel morale and retention. The Shipboard Non-tactical ADP Program (SNAP) is being instituted in order to alleviate these burdens. However, the "applications approach" being used with SNAP is not sufficient to meet both the functional and management needs of the Fleet. The management environment necessary to satisfy both these needs are discussed. The central theme is that of centralization and standardization of data, its definition, and its control. Fundamental to the above philosophy is the concept of Information Resource Management (IRM). Automation of IRM should be done via a Data Base Management System (DBMS). The critical tool required to transfer IRM results to a DBMS is the Data Dictionary System (DDS). Additionally, two crucial management positions, the IRM manager and the Data Base Administrator (DBA) are essential to the success of the "data base approach".