User information fusion decision making analysis with the C-OODA model

For pragmatic information fusion system design and analysis, the user (commander or operator/analyst) needs information in a timely manner to conduct actionable intelligence. With the development of complex information fusion systems, the user still provides valuable inputs to the information fusion system in contextual reasoning and situation understanding. In this paper, we describe the Cognitive Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (C-OODA) model as a method of user and team analysis in the context of the Data Fusion Information Group (DFIG) Information Fusion Model. From the DFIG model [as an update to the Joint Directors of the Lab (JDL) model], we look at Level 5 Fusion of “user refinement” in the context of timely decision making. Using control theory, we present an example of user timeliness assessment in an information fusion decision making model analysis. We model the information input delays in reaching a decision and the action output delays in executing the decision. The C-OODA comparisons to the DFIG model support systems evaluation and analysis as well as coordinating the time interval of interaction between the machine processing (e.g. information fusion) and user processing (e.g. perception and reasoning).