The Velocity of Information

Abstract

How can the health (or the robustness) of a complex information processing system be quantitatively scored? This question applies to both subjective and quantified assessments of health. Given that subjective assessments are routine, how can such assessments be quantified? This paper presents an approach, based on an analogy drawn between economies and complex information systems. The motivation for and the reasoning leading to this analogy is summarized. The paper continues by presenting a mechanism to test this hypothesis within a military decision-making system (the Air and Space Operations Center). This paper concludes with a summary and areas for future research.