Enablers of Self-Synchronization for Network-Centric Operations: Design of a Complex Command and Control Experiment
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Authors
Hutchins, Susan G.
Kleinman, David L.
Hocevar, Susan P.
Kemple, William G.
Porter, Gary R.
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Date of Issue
2001-06
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Abstract
Modified human decision-making processes are required—in addition to new
tactics and technology that are also currently under development—to enable Joint
military forces to operate in a time span that is shorter than an adversary’s. Selfsynchronization
is viewed as an essential process within military organizations
that can increase speed of command and thus accelerate execution of the mission.
This process of self-synchronization is described as the ability of a well-informed
force to organize and synchronize complex warfare activities from the bottom up.
The organizing principles are unity of effort, clearly articulated commander’s
intent, and carefully crafted rules of engagement. Self-synchronization is viewed
as a mechanism to overcome the loss of combat power inherent in top-down,
command-directed coordination that is characteristic of conventional command
and control doctrine. The planning that took place to prepare for a complex,
command and control, team-in-the-loop experiment, examining selfsynchronization,
is the focus for this paper. The objective of the experiment was
to determine the conditions under which self-synchronization can most effectively
be achieved. In particular, we discuss the activities that led to formulating the
hypotheses for the the experiment, and the efforts that were needed to actually run
the experiment. These efforts included conducting a pre-experiment seminar
game, crafting the scenario, experimental design development, independent
variable manipulation, data collection methods and instruments, and simulator
software modification. Some initial results and lessons learned will also be
discussed.
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Article
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Graduate School of Business & Public Policy (GSBPP)
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This work was supported by both the Chief of Naval Operations (N6C) and the Office of Naval Research, Cognitive, Neural and Biomolecular S&T Division.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.