Evaluation of Network-Based Operation Criteria Based on DEMATEL Method

US Network Centric Warfare is one of the threats lying ahead of the Islamic Republic of Iran. To deal with such a threat, recognizing the Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and its main criteria are fundamental issues that must be examined from different perspectives. The multiplicity of interdependencies, feedbacks and direct and indirect interactions between components and criteria of network centric operations, has turned the comparison and evaluation to a complicated problem. To tackle this complex problem, in this paper we used DEMATEL's method. The level of influence, impact, degree of importance, and causal     relationship of criteria to each other are evaluated. Based on data analysis, individual sensemaking and quality of information, are the most influential criteria. The degree of shared sensemaking is the most     effective criterion and agility, individual sensemaking and synchronization follow next in rank. In terms of the importance of criteria that are somehow centroid in terms of impact, sensemaking has the highest rank and then the quality of information and interactions between the forces and their allies have the next rank. From the perspective of the cause and effect relationship, the quality of information criteria has the highest rank as a " cause"  and effectiveness and agility as " effects" .The achievements of this strategic assessment can be focused on prioritizing active and passive regions in the network centric battle scene. Confirming the cyber-electronic experts’ opinion, another important achievement is the effectiveness of the role and status of cyber-electronic capabilities in the network centric operation battle scene, which needs to be assessed accurately. Simulation and data analysis have been done in MATLAB software.