Information visualization and representation is defined as those capabilities employed to view, or make visible,
an abstraction of information using physical techniques that include those processing capabilities used to present a
data abstraction in a clear and appropriate manner.
In the future, information will be presented in a manner that is easy to comprehend quickly at any level of decision
making and in a presentation style chosen by the user. This capability will be available for individual or group
presentation, without requiring users to have knowledge of the underlying IS structure or internal activities. ISs will
collect, monitor, and protect information with such accuracy and reliability that the user is confident of the quality of
the data representation and accepts it as a basis for decision making.
The underlying ISs will contain an ability to initiate automated self-protection, automated maintenance and
repair, and automated disaster detection and recovery. This will be done in a reliable, self-checking and selfdeconflicting
fashion. When users are presented displays constructed from within an IS, they will have confidence in
the validity of these displays.
Data and analytic presentation will be rapid and inexpensive so that multiple users can simultaneously access
and inquire about the same information while residing at different locations and using quite different viewer style
preferences. Rapid “what-if” analyses will be processed simultaneously, without interference or delay to others
engaged in similar inquiry.
RATIONALE
Decision making in a military situation can be based upon manifold, interdependent (although not obviously
so) events or situations occurring anywhere in the world. Analyses and correlation of event content may require a
search through substantial amounts of data maintained in different formats distributed across memory located in different,
geographically distant systems. Decision makers will not be required to be sophisticated technologically or be
expected to initiate or define the details of inquiry methodology. Decision support data will be made rapidly available
to command authorities. A numeric data credibility level will be declared as a component of the results of each
inquiry.
Decision makers need analytic results of event correlation to be presented in a fashion congruent with their own
personal mode of thinking and understanding. Genetic variation creates humans who process information in quite
discordant dominant modes and in different combination’s of visual, quantitative, or verbal preference. To reduce misunderstanding,
ambiguity, or delay in forming a combat decision, data presentation styles will include a selective
capability to accommodate those individual preferences. A variety of scenario options that can be explored automatically
by the IS and presented in summary form will be available. Decision makers will be able to select and view
any desired level of detail upon voice command. Uttering an oral request will modify presentation scale. Analyses
will be initiated on request by pointing to a remote graphic, map, chart, or table displayed on a wall using a lightpen
or wand.
There may be a need for real-time gathering of information with ongoing specialized analyses, based not only
upon requested information but also upon algorithmically derived scenarios offered for optional consideration by the
decision maker. The IS will be able to present a projection of the consequences of actions currently being employed
and in progress. For example, the viewer could be presented with possible results of the current course of action,
based upon automatic algorithmically derived options. Combat is always less than predictable and infested with surprise.
This real-time analytic capability does not ensure the outcome, but it does improve a capability to discover
errors while sufficient time remains to intervene, recover, or support a stressed force.
In the future, many decision makers will become immersed in their information environment by using a 3-D
representation, such as holographic imaging or VR capabilities. The 3-D presentations will be appropriate for use by
individuals and groups. In some situations, robots will be employed to represent individuals acting in a scenario.
Individuals will not have to be collocated physically to participate but will appear to other participants in surrogate
likeness or simulation. This capability will compensate for situations with personnel limitations.
In addition to use in decision making, these presentation capabilities will be used for training and in a variety
of other aspects of military preparation
