ABSTRACT
The concept of network-based command and control is proposed to enable forces to organize in a bottom-up fashion and to self-synchronize in order to meet a commander's intent. The unit of analysis for studies of network-based command and control is much larger than for studies of traditional hierarchical control. This situation presents a challenge to studies of network-based command and control. Two of the challenges are how to describe and model joint behavior, and how to design information technology that supports network-based command and control. This chapter addresses these challenges by outlining a method for analysis of joint behavior using constraints and opportunities for action represented in state spaces. It presents the application of the constraint recognition method to the C3Fire microworld. The chapter discusses an experiment that provides an existence proof that the representation of data and constraints in state spaces can form the basis for the design of information systems to support operators in command-and-control environments.
