Information Overload: The Army's Failure to Manage a Resource.

Information is a valuable resource of Headquarters, Department of the Army HQDA. This fact is evidenced by HQDAs extensive reporting requirements levied on the field, its many complex management information systems, and its large investment in data processing equipment, software, and personnel. In fact, the primary function of HQDA, as the major planning and resource management activity of the Army, is centered about the acquisition, distribution, processing, storage, use, and dissemination of information. This paper explores the Armys attempts to manage its information systems as a valuable resource provides a historical perspective on the subject examines the Armys present information management systems and, supplies some insight on the future of information resource management in the Army. The paper concludes that in the past three decades the Armys top management has not been sincerly committed to the development of an Information Resource Management program.