Military Communications and Information Technology: A Trusted ...

334 Military Communications and Information Technology...
• Acquiring experience – the phase in which missions are conducted based
on the mission plan. The LL process should begin with gathering all the raw
data derived from observations made during the mission as well as from
other possible sources and sensors. At this stage it comes down to mining
the entire knowledge in possession of organisation, both explicit and
tacit. In the military context, it is collecting all the observations made by
individual soldiers during the mission and the data recorded by different
sensors. Data collection should include all the available sources, if only
the data might be potentially useful.
• Gathering and analyzing experience – the phase where the information
is gathered, analysing and processed. LI and/or LL are results of processing
observations. Analytical operations will cover collecting, structuring,
filtering and analyzing data, so that one can develop information on
certain events and situations. This group of actions will develop certain
patterns of behaviour/procedures, saying what should be done when
certain circumstances occur. This means that collected observations and
data are compiled and converted into information on certain situations,
phenomena and objects. On the basis of this information, conclusions
are drawn, and from the conclusions appropriate behaviour patterns and
reaction models can be developed. An analysis can be carried out either
by the LLO or other experts, at different levels of decision making. They
can recommend changes in the relevant aspects of DOTMPLF. The LLO
or another expert has access to information related to missions on each
step of observations or LI analysis. Collected observations, LI and LL are
available for planners (according to relevant procedures defining access
to information). Recommendations prepared are related to either PDT
or DOTMPLF.
• Applying experience – the phase of taking advantage of the knowledge
gained from experience by applying it to core activities performed by
the military organisation (e.g. planning and executing daily missions).
All respective LI should be taken into account during the training and
preparation of soldiers for the next missions, but also when planning
new missions and creating military doctrines. A LI is checked and tested
in the operational environment during the training process. After being
tested in the operational environment, the LI is further analysed. Then
a detailed description is created, which contains all the elements like inputs,
outputs, roles and responsibilities. Structured LI should be further
tested in the live environment, either a combat mission or training. After
being tested in the live environment, LI obtains the status of Lesson Learnt.
The changes derive from LL, LI and regulations in PDT and DOTMPLF.
The knowledge spreads faster in small organisations in contrast with more
complex organisational structures like military ones. The formal process of data