Distributed Decision-Making

Definition

Distributed decision-making partitions decision authority across echelons and platforms so that local nodes can act under intent without round-trips to higher headquarters. It is the operational pattern that resilient C2 software is engineered to support: when comms degrade, the lowest authorized echelon decides.

Reference attributes

Enables

Operations under degraded comms

Related terms

• Mission Command
  Command philosophy granting subordinates intent-based discretion under decentralized authority.
• Commander's Intent
  Concise statement of purpose, key tasks, and end state that guides subordinate initiative.
• Human-on-the-Loop
  Supervisory control pattern where the human can intervene but does not act on every step.