Operationalization of Information Technology for the 21st Century (IT-21) : the flight scheduling function in Patrol Squadron 40 as a case study

Abstract

In the past several years, greater exploitation of information technology to increase leverage of information has become a central focus in the military. This focus is reflected in a number of strategic vision documents. Two significant examples are "Joint Vision 2010" signed in 1996 by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review Report. Achieving and using information superiority is seen as essential to future military success. This has led to the emergence of a new warfare paradigm: network-centric warfare. Towards this end, the Navy's service-wide IT improvement initiative is Information Technology for the 21st Century (IT- 21). IT-21 establishes a standard for IT capability to be achieved throughout the Navy within which Navy units can shape their IT improvements. This study explores a requirements-approach for planning improvement of IT through IT-21. Specifically, it focuses on a single function of one squadron: flight scheduling in Patrol Squadron 40. This study addresses how to establish information requirements, assess current IT performance, and formulate specifications by which to drive planning for IT improvement. It concludes by mapping IT-2 1 components to requirements to provide VP-40 with a plan for improving its flight scheduling process through IT-21