READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Thus the message is framed, key
demographics are precisely targeted and
the strategic narrative is bolstered.
will have to take place on its own merits
- against real word events – to offer in-
exercise legitimacy.
The STAAT analysis delineated the most
susceptible target audiences, the best medium
to influence them, and the wider effect
messaging could achieve operationally.
Together these two STAAT capabilities
offer a comprehensive insight into the
current state of the target audience
sentiment, and the possibility of its future
manipulation. However, the STAAT is not
a panacea. It is only as good as its data,
input manipulation and agent interaction.
This requires constant monitoring, and
external information to verify current
sentiment legitimacy. Furthermore, the
agent network is static, and will require
additional work to make it dynamic.
Finally, test validation for each data set
Conclusion
In conclusion, STAAT must be
considered as only one element of
a complex Information Environment.
It is an emerging concept, which will
require further considerable investment
and resources to earn its place as a
fundamental tool in the information
operations armoury. The next phase in
the development of STAAT has already
begun however, under a fresh partnership
between the Defence Science and
Technology Laboratories (DSTL) and
the ARRC. This heralds the beginning
of even greater understanding within
the realm of target audience analysis,
and its utility to the future information
environment.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lt Col Martin Browning is SO1 Influence
Operations in the Joint Fires and
Influence branch at HQ Allied Raid
Reaction Corps.
Maj Chris Bell, SO2 Psychological
Operations in the Joint Fires and
Influence branch at HQ Allied Raid
Reaction Corps.
Figure 2 - Sandtable STAAT modelling extracts for Klaipeda
ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS
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