Command and Control Interfaces for Virtual Teams

Analytic work performed through Phase I indicates a significant need for tools that will help Command and Control (C2) managers and staff more effectively manage their processes. While C2 environments often are described in terms of information processing and decision-making requirements, C2 is viewed as a process-centric enterprise that is driven by explicit policy, procedures, staffing requirements, and personnel roles and responsibilities. Observations and analyses of Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) teams indicates that failure to achieve mission goals often is driven by breakdowns in process rather than a lack of needed information. The JXT Team is proposing to develop a web-based application that can be applied across a broad range of C2 organizations to better manage their unique processes. The specific effort proposed in this Phase II SBIR focuses on the development of a prototype Collaborative Command and Control Environment Tool (C3ET) that will allow users to define and describe their own processes, specify staff positions, roles, and responsibilities, and predefine a set of tasks and messages that would be used frequently in that process. The capabilities envisioned for C3ET will enable members of C2 virtual teams to be more efficient and productive in their dynamic work environment.