ABSTRACT
Functional models of cognition can be used to explain command and control agility. However, it is necessary to point to generic cognitive functions that must be part of any command and control system presenting agility. The chapter looks into some of the modelling attempts that have been made in cognitive systems engineering, especially those concerning contextual models. The contextual control model (COCOM) is an attempt to describe control as a result of competence and knowledge about a context(s) and time pressure. The extended control model (ECOM) identifies patterns in control behaviour on the basis of performance. It is, like Observe, Orient, Decide, Act and similar models, built on feedback processes, which underline dynamics between perceiving and acting. ECOM also involves proactive control functions. One of the drawbacks of the ECOM in comparison with its predecessor the COCOM/basic cyclic model, at least in a graphical depiction, is that the target system is implicit. Considering a military context, this becomes a problem.
