Computer-Mediated Group Processes in Distributed Command and Control Systems: Supervised Shared Work

This report describes research on the effects of computer-mediated communications on distributed command and control. The study extends the investigation of computer-mediated communication with shared graphics in distributed C2 to a three-person group (triad) to examine the effects of computer-mediation on the ability of a supervisor to interact with staff members and to exercise control over task accomplishment. An experiment was conducted that required two team members, under the supervision of a third individual, to collaborate on a military tactical movement order task. The three people were also required to perform other work to simulate conditions typical for command staffs. Work was performed face-to-face (FTF) and with the group separated using various modes of computer-mediated communications. The experimental modes evaluated were (1) face-to-face, (2) synchronous with voice communications (SYNCH+V), and (3) voiceless asynchronous electronic-mail communications (ASYNCH). Results indicate that little is lost in performance quality or speed when moving from face-to-face to computer-mediated communications with an auxiliary voice channel.