Information and warfare: new opportunities for U.S. military forces

Any complex undertaking in which the actions of a large number of people must be coordinated will be information intensive. Think of the production of a complex piece of machinery, the construction of a large building, or the operation of a transportation network. The participants in such activities must know their roles, must be informed of the status of other aspects of the project, and must be able to adjust their activities in reaction to unforeseen events. Someone must also be able to oversee the process, make decisions, and communicate those decisions to others involved. All of this activity creates demands for the generation and communication of information.