Computational Modeling and Analysis of Networked Organizational Planning in a Coalition Maritime Strike Environment

Abstract

The Edge represents a fresh approach to organizational design, moving knowledge and power to the edges of organizations. But this raises issues in terms of comparative performance with respect to alternate organizational designs. The research described in this article extends our investigation into the design and efficacy of Edge organizations for current and future, military, mission-environmental contexts. We begin with field research at sea with a coalition expeditionary strike group, observing in particular the planning process associated with maritime tasking orders, and focusing in particular on the effects of networking, knowledge and power flows. Such field research is used to develop and validate a computational model of the current maritime component commander organization and planning process. Through computational experimentation, the nature of this organization and process are analyzed to assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of alternate communication capabilities, knowledge networks and power flows. New work described in this article reveals insightful dynamic patterns and differential performance capabilities of various C2 organizations. This work suggests immediate results amenable to practical application in the Military, and it suggests also an exciting agenda for continued research along the lines of this investigation.