Net-Centric Conversations:
The Unit of Work for Network Centric Warfare and Network Centric Operations
Network-centric warfare and, increasingly, Joint
operations, demand vastly increased interdependencies
and relationships among net-centric participants to
produce net-centric capabilities and increase mission
effectiveness. A net-centric conversation (NCC) captures
a set of organizing principles that encompass a formal
description and management of net-centric relationships
among participants, such as people, machines, weapons,
and sensors, that produce such a net-centric capability.
The term "conversation" is used deliberately to capture
both the essence of an NCC's ability to change and as the
interactions among the participants. Each NCC is version
controlled, ensuring that participants know of relevant
changes in other participants, which in turn creates a basis
of trust. Each NCC has agility metrics to quantify the
shortest amount of time needed to change any participant,
which enables value-driven portfolio management of
NCCs. The Global Combat Support System – Air Force is
already beginning to support NCCs.
