Information-Velocity Metric for the Flow of Information through an Organization: Application to Decision Support

The rapid flow of information through a command-and-control organization strengthens the agility of the command and increases the efficiency of the organization. Therefore, a metric is proposed for the speed of useful information as it flows in an organization, enterprise or command structure. Information is assumed to be useful if a member of the organization considers it to have the potential to reduce uncertainty, and thus become an important contribution to a decision process. Information velocity depends on information flow and time, which is sometimes described as “getting the right information to the right person at the right time.” Efficient information flow is the goal of net-centric warfare and is needed for making faster, better decisions. Everyone is a decision maker on some level. Modern organizations demand optimal agility, creativity, and innovation. Various factors, techniques, and tools can help improve information velocity. Given the state of technology at the time of this writing, a direct measure of information flow in command centers does not appear to be possible in the near future. Therefore, the present study focuses on the timing aspect of information velocity, which deals with time management in organizations in general, and in command centers in particular. This paper describes an individual decision-making model that attempts to fill this gap. It proposes formulas for measures, suggests a small, simplified set of questions to obtain a quick metric, and describes future research. The authors welcome comments and suggestions and would like to collaborate with others on this effort. This work supports the GIS3T interoperability test bed, which you are welcome to join.