Latent Capabilities for Decision Making in a Dynamic Environment

When an organization operates in a dynamic environment, management needs an information system capable of handling unexpected situations as well as normal ones. Each element in the organization should always have selective access to information needed for sound decision making. Both live and latent information will be involved. Coordinated teamwork will call for group communication. Information system design must provide not only for management and supervisory decisions, but also for those decisions that must be made by rank-and-file and by inanimate equipment. The adverse effects of human failings in communication must be minimized. This paper analyzes several aspects of the problem, and suggests a system configuration. The paper also discusses the integrated approach to system design, an approach that has provided latent capabilities for handling unforeseen situations.