Systems Engineering Approach and Metrics for Evaluating Network-Centric Operations for U.S. Army Battle Command.

摘要

While many studies have taken a traditional task-analysis approach to assessing the effects of technology on battle command performance, this report describes the implementation of a global systems approach for examining usability, functionality, and performance from operator, commander, staff, and organizational perspectives. The approach had three steps: the first step was identifying tasks and behavioral characteristics that were associated with effective battle command performance at the operator, commander and staff, and organizational levels; the second step was developing a framework for measuring how well technology provides the usability, functionality, and performance required at each of the three levels; the third step was developing metrics and tools to implement the measurement framework. This approach has been used successfully to assess technology ( digitization ) effectiveness by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Operational Test Command during network integration evaluations, limited user tests, and initial operational test and evaluation. This report describes the three-step approach and presents data demonstrating the reliability of the questionnaire as it was used to evaluate the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System version 6.5.0.