Decision-Acquisition System Based on a Common Decision-Exchange Protocol

摘要

This paper describes design considerations for the implementation of a decision-support system based on a Common Decision Exchange Protocol (CDEP), which is an XML-, REST-based protocol for representing generic human decisions in a simple, interoperable format. The paper also describes characteristics of decisions that should be expressed using CDEP and specifies a proposed XML format. The CDEP will enable war fighters to track and manage the decision- making process better, to enable improved information-flow metrics in networks, to maintain an archive of the decisions and the decision-making process, to enable semi-automation of certain decision-making processes, to improve information sharing across networks, and ultimately, to support better and faster decision making. The CDEP format should provide concise, generic, structured assessments and decisions that enable 'drill down,' support pedigree and confidence, enable approvals and vetting, define options considered, link to previous decisions, and support flexible structuring. The format recommended here is a first step toward such a CDEP.