Automation of the Marine Corps planning process

Abstract

In today’s world, innovations in software have provided organizations a platform to establish a collaborative environment that leverages new technologies. The Marine Corps is not immune from these innovations and must look at current innovations that can link current systems to decision makers. As today’s technology has advanced, the Marine Corps’ duty is to influence innovations to provide a collaborate environment. This collaborative environment, specifically command and control (C2) systems, must facilitate information retrieval at all levels while maintaining the authoritative integrity. This thesis provides information about Planning Application Extension (PAE), a collaborative software currently employed within Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Furthermore, this thesis examines how software applications can efficiently improve knowledge sharing during an Operational Planning Team (OPT) session. Having this context provides a platform for increased operational awareness of how real time information empowers the commander, staffs, and planners. Finding indicates that the PAE, a layer seven software extension, can be highly effective if properly leveraged by staffs and planners. Conversely, PAE is not well known and has a complex graphical user interface (GUI). Both attributes greatly affected the adoption rate of this platform. Thesis recommendations are that PAE become software of record to provide continuity in the execution of Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) regardless of geographic location. MAGTF staff training program (MSTP) should incorporate PAE in future MAGTF training, both integrated into the current curriculum and through distance learning. Furthermore, an updated PAE GUI will provide an intuitive experience and influence the perceived ease of use (PEOU) for the user.