Knowledge Flow in Command and Control (C2)

This proposal intends to show a systematic approach to modeling information flow in existing command and control (C2) centers. Using modeling and simulation, information processing bottlenecks will be exposed. Exploration of those bottlenecks and the development of mitigation strategies will allow for increased information flow. Increased information flow will result in more efficient decision making - faster, more informed and less error prone. While recent DoD research has examined better human computer interfaces, there has been little work trying to model the complexities and bottlenecks inherent in current C2 centers. This effort will demystify those bottlenecks and propose mitigation strategies transportable to any C2 environment. The initial deliverable for Phase I will be a design model of a nonspecific C2 center that will allow development of a working model for exploration of information flow and bottlenecks. Phase II will build the working model and use it for analyzing the information flow/exchange within the C2 center and developing strategies to enhance flow and decision making. Phase III will center on transitioning developed technologies to DoD programs and also look for commercial application of these strategies where information flow and timely decision making is imperative (e.g., Communication Network Control Centers, Air Traffic Control Centers, etc.).