The purpose of this monograph was to illuminate information as both a resource and a process that deserves structured, coherent management at the unit level. The thesis is that lack of such management contributes to needless friction that degrades a unit's ability to perform its mission. The monograph qualifies information as a resource, examines the importance of information to a military organization, and defines five 'information failures' -- insufficient, overabundant, irrelevant, inaccurate, and untimely information -- that disrupt a unit's decision and execution cycles. The Scud-hunting efforts during Operation DESERT STORM are analyzed for examples of delay and mistakes caused by friction due to information failures. The monograph then proposes a framework for managing information as a traditional, tangible resource and process. It further highlights nontraditional properties of information relevant to a 21st century force. The monograph recommends the creation of an information officer position on the commander's staff, similar to a chief information officer in organizations outside the military. This officer would be coequal to the other officers who manage resources and processes on the commander's staff today -- S/G/J1 through S/G/J8. The role of this officer would be to bring unity to what is now a disjointed effort to manage the command's information. This officer is not envisioned as a technocrat but someone who would blend mission, process management, and information technology expertise to assure the unit uses its information to its best tactical, strategic, and organizational benefit. The monograph is conceptual rather than procedural or technical. It takes a technological-independent approach that addresses frustration with a wide array of technologies that promise efficiency and effectiveness but consume extra effort in their operation. With increasing emphasis on information technologies, the information on which they are based needs to be well-understood to improve the results from investment in these technologies. The end state sought is a unit where information lubricates rather than impedes mission accomplishment.

ADA 301161 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)