Knowledge visualizations: a tool to achieve optimized operational decision making and data integration

The overabundance of data created by modern information systems (IS) has led to a breakdown in cognitive decision-making. Without authoritative source data, commanders’ decision-making processes are hindered as they attempt to paint an accurate shared operational picture (SOP). Further impeding the decision-making process is the lack of proper interface interaction to provide a visualization that aids in the extraction of the most relevant and accurate data. Utilizing the DSS to present visualizations based on OLAP cube integrated data allow decision-makers to rapidly glean information and build their situation awareness (SA). This yields a competitive advantage to the organization while in garrison or in combat. Additionally, OLAP cube data integration enables analysis to be performed on an organization’s data-flows. This analysis is used to identify the critical path of data throughout the organization. Linking a decision-maker to the authoritative data along this critical path eliminates the many decision layers in a hierarchal command structure that can introduce latency or error into the decision-making process. Furthermore, the organization has an integrated SOP from which to rapidly build SA, and make effective and efficient decisions.http://archive.org/details/knowledgevisuali1094545877Outstanding ThesisOutstanding ThesisMajor, United States Marine CorpsCaptain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

A Framework to Simplify the Choice of Alternative Analysis and Selection Methods

This dissertation contributes a framework for analysts and engineering managers to investigate and choose alternative analysis and selection methods based upon their problem and its context. It began as an investigation into the alternative analysis and selection methods used in military planning. The existing military methods were inconsistent, violated the decision science body of knowledge, and provided no guidance to the practitioner on matching methods to problems. These challenges made it necessary to conduct this investigation. This research used a three-phase mixed methods approach. The first phase applied the general inductive method to the decision making body of knowledge to elicit an evaluation theme. The second phase used content analysis to identify evaluation criteria and satisficing to choose an evaluation framework structure. The completed framework is applied to the case of U.S. Army planning in phase three as a validation case study. This investigation\u27s results suggest that the proposed evaluation framework methodology is valid based upon the member checks and expert feedback on the case study. The research also contributes an expert-tested scalable collaborative online tool for alternative analysis and selection method research and selection. Finally, this dissertation recommends improvements for decision making in U.S. Army planning that have been validated by military planning and operations research experts

‘AFTER THE SEA’ - USING MILITARY INTELLIGENCE PROTOCOLS TO TRANSLATE STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RESULTS INTO OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVES

The aim of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is to evaluate the environmental consequences of strategic initiatives to ensure consideration and integration at the earliest stages of decision-making. While contextual flexibility is important, the SEA process must be structured so that results can be effectively integrated into related decision-making processes and translated into action. This research explores whether SEA follow-up and implementation could be improved by incorporating a standard military strategic and operational intelligence (S/OI) framework. Specifically, the purpose of this research is to advance SEA practice by providing a structured framework and communication guide for practitioners to aid in the dissemination and follow-up of SEA results to enable resource management decision-makers to translate SEA results into mission-oriented operational actions. The research methodology adopts standard methods of qualitative inquiry including an in-depth literature content review of SEA process, tiering, and communication, and grey literature review on military S/OI processes. Based on these reviews, a proposed framework for SEA was developed and then tested for viability in a case investigation of Parks Canada (PC) SEA implementation. Data were gathered regarding the SEA process, tiering, communication and translation processes through open-ended, semi-structured interviews, examining process effectiveness and perspectives on outcomes of using the proposed intelligence-based framework. Significant findings include that deficiencies in the current SEA guidance can be augmented by the S/OI enhanced guidance to facilitate more successful tiering and it has the potential to bridge the gap to evolve SEA from an information provision exercise to an actionable mandate that leads to desired outcomes via measurable effects. Further, within PC the gap in guidance for SEA implementation and follow-up results in challenges for ‘after the SEA’ processes, including translation, implementation, monitoring and feedback, causing negative effects for both human and environmental aspects of PC. Effective SEA implementation and follow-up is fundamentally a communication challenge. The PC test results showed that the S/OI enhanced SEA framework is the missing element needed to operationalize SEA results and has the potential to be a valuable tool for government and industry. However, to be successful, SEA policy must gain legitimacy through legislative foundation, and political commitment

EIB Financial Report 2019

In 2019, the Bank’s lending signatures amounted to EUR 63.3 billion. This report includes the 2019 financial statements and audit report both for the EIB and the EIB Group

May Oversight Report

May Oversight Report -- Reviving Lending to Small Businesses and Families and the Impact of the TAL

Life cycle assessment of UK forest products : evaluation of environmental profiles and analysis of their communication

Imperial Users onl