N - Multilateral Planners Conference

UNCLASSIFIEDACP 200(B) Vol 1CHAPTER 3INTRODUCTIONINFORMATION MANAGEMENT (IM)301. Advances in military communications and Information Systems (IS) provide themodern military commander with information and data faster and more efficiently than at anytime in the past. However, these new capabilities are challenging the ability of militarycommanders to assimilate an ever increasing flow of information, without becomingoverloaded.302. Effective information management provides relevant information to the right personat the right time in a suitable form, to facilitate situational awareness and decision-making.Information is the result of processing data, and managing that information is an integralcomponent of warfare.AIM303. This Chapter provides guidance for the efficient collection, collation, storage,processing and display of information to enable faster and more informed decision making inorder to successfully complete the mission.OVERVIEW304. Data is the representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized mannersuitable for communications, interpretation, or processing by humans or by automatic means.It is only as important as the context within which it is used and the expertise of theindividuals using it. Information is the product of the processing of data via the application ofprocedures, standards, policies, and training. When information is studied within a specificcontext it leads to knowledge. When knowledge is combined with experience and goodjudgment, it leads to an informed understanding of the situation, i.e. situational awareness.Enhanced situational awareness subsequently results in an improved decision-makingcapability. This hierarchy is illustrated in Figure 3-1.Uncontrolled copy when printed305. High-level guidance for information management will normally be articulated in theInformation Management Plan (IMP). The Information Management Plan (IMP) is normallydeveloped by the CCTF Information Management Officer (IMO) and published as anAppendix to the OPLAN. Further information on the IMP can be found in variousMultinational Standing documents such as the MNF SOP (v1.6 – February 2006).306. Naval forces worldwide use Maritime Tactical Messages, standardized generaloperating instructions known as Operational General (OPGEN) messages, OperationalTasking (OPTASK) messages, and Operational Status (OPSTAT) messages. OPTASKmessages provide elements similar to those in the operation plan: situation / mission /3-1UNCLASSIFIEDOriginal