Command and Control Warfare Simulator Planning Tool - User test 2
Publish date: 2011-08-23
Report number: FOI-R--3225--SE
Pages: 24
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- LKS
- GOP
- COPD
- Planning tool.
Abstract
This report describes a test executed as part of the transfer project Ledningskrigföringssimulatorn planeringsverktyg. The project includes development of a planning tool which is evaluated with a primary focus on its use in an operative staff's planning of information operations (J3 INSS Info Ops-sektion). The planning tool enables the staff to assess the ability to lead electronic warfare and Computer Network Operations, an ability that might be crucial for successful operations. Development of the planning tool is performed in compliance with the plans set by the Swedish Armed Forces, which emphasizes the importance of support from information operations for coordinated actions. A positive progress of the project is indicated by the test participants' positive reactions to the use of the planning tool, despite the fact that the tool is still in a development phase. A scenario was created for the purpose of the test described here. The scenario included both facts and fictitious material, and focused on an unstable situation in Tunisia with an upcoming election. This was the basis for an evaluation of how the planning tool performs in a realistic situation, both with respect to its user interface and as part of the operation planning and leading process. Three participants, all knowledgeable in information operations and Guidelines for Operational Planning, acted as staff with the mission of planning operations targeted at: 1) preventing smuggling to and from the coast of Tunisia, and 2) prepare the actions necessary to improve security in connection to the election. Focus was put on procedures four and five of the Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive (COPD). The test was performed in multiple steps: Initially a scenario briefing was given as well as a training session with the planning tool. This was followed by an assistantsupported planning, and a stand-alone planning performed by the participants. The available assets were the LKS planning tool, an integrated target- and synchronizationmatrix presented in Microsoft Project, and all mission information documents were accessible through a Swedish Command Control Information System. Finally, an evaluation of dialogs for coverage diagram creation was performed using Rapid Prototyping. The purpose of this final step was to allow for improvements of the existing dialogs based on the participants' input. Documentation of the test was done continuously through notes by seven test leaders/observers. Analysis of the collected data showed that the planning tool can be used for planning of information operations. Changes made since previous experiments have greatly improved the tool's usability, and the adaptation to COPD has been beneficial as the staff could work by implementing familiar processes. A requirement of a staff assistant was identified. The staff assistant should perform preparatory work, which means that training materials for staff assistants have to be developed. Access to further organizational and operation specific data was considered crucial to the practical use of the planning tool. It should be possible to tag information using meta-data, for example by origin and classification levels. Such meta-data should be available in order to enable data filtering, for example, based on clearance in situations like international collaborations. The issues connected to the challenge of getting access to data from different parts of the Swedish Armed Forces remain to be resolved.