Analysing Command Challenges Using the Command and Control Framework: Pilot Study Results

This paper describes a pilot study in which we explored the utility of the Pigeau-McCann framework for command and control for analyzing real-world military command challenges. The framework is a reconceptualization of command, control and C2 that is intended to provide a comprehensive and consistent base both for the scientific investigation of C2 and for the development of military C2 policy and doctrine. The study involved a preliminary assessment of the explanatory power of the framework in the context of actual situations in which military personnel confronted operational challenges. The results endorse the value of the framework as an approach for categorizing and quantifying significant aspects of command, of control and of C2. In addition, several areas were identified for improving the procedure used for analysis of the challenges. With refinement, the tool has strong potential to be used by the military to understand challenging C2 situations.