Decision-Centric Warfare: Reading Between the Lines of Network-Centric Warfare

Network-Centric Warfare NCW, as it has come to be called, is here to stay. While the benefits are proving to be many, there are also potential risks that can adversely affect operational leadership. Increasingly, commanders today must be aware of how the effects of information overload, instantaneous communications, and increased opportunities to insert themselves in levels of war outside their traditional sphere of influence can have a bearing on their decision-making. NCWs very name has a tendency to focus attention strictly on the technology, as if once the system is implemented or the device installed, that everything will work out for the best. The technology is merely an enabler, another addition to commanders toolkits to help them make better decisions. To avoid the if you build it they will come mentality, the focus must be maintained on decision-making and the decisions that result through a commanders application of operational art. This paper proposes replacing one word and calling it Decision-Centric Warfare to maintain the proper focus. Not only does the name change align more directly with Joint Vision 2020s concept of decision superiority, but when one looks at the NCW terminology and construct, decisions are really what NCW is all about.