Analysis and evaluation of net‐centric command and control decision processes

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach which can evaluate the ability that successfully achieves command and control, both in qualitative and quantitative modes, to improve decision accuracy and speed, as well as construct an executable architecture for analyzing and verifying different decision projects.

Design/methodology/approach

By defining command and control (C2) decision architecture and decomposing C2 decision processes into measurable subfunctions, measures and metrics will be associated with each of the lowest level decomposed functions, and will be used to provide support for performance evaluation. Both Markov decision process analysis and conditional probability (CP) logic are used for modeling the decision‐making process of course of action (COA). Meanwhile, an executable architecture constructed by Petri net is applied to logic structural verification and performance evaluation.

Findings

The paper presents an idea and methodology for net‐centric command and control decision‐making process analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The paper describes and decomposes C2 decision processes for complex missions in uncertain environments.

Practical implications

The paper could be an important reference of analysis and application in net‐centric command and control of decision making.

Originality/value

The paper combines methodology with qualitative methods (decision process decomposition), quantitative method (Markov decision process analysis and CP logic), as well as structural verification and performance evaluation.

Citation

Bing, X., Yan, J. and Hongbin, J. (2012), "Analysis and evaluation of net‐centric command and control decision processes", Kybernetes, Vol. 41 No. 9, pp. 1305-1311. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921211275333