This work offers a groundbreaking exploration of the urgent need for creativity and innovation in contemporary military thought.
In an era characterised by the ceaseless flux of global dynamics, traditional paradigms of warfare have become increasingly obsolete. The pursuit of victory no longer lies in the fixation upon past conflicts but rather in the discerning assessment of and adaptation to the challenges that will shape the conflicts of tomorrow. This innovative work dissects the barriers that have thus far hindered the realisation of this potential. Furthermore, it challenges the status quo and advances a series of recommendations poised to steer international militaries towards success in the theatre of contemporary conflicts. Drawing from their extensive involvement with defence forces worldwide, the authors introduce concepts such as military design thinking as catalytic instruments of change. Through introspective reflections and real-world case studies, they present implications for mitigating cognitive biases, heralding a transformative epoch in military operations. It is this very transformation that furnishes militaries with the capacity to surge ahead of their adversaries, a capability proving to be indispensable in modern warfare.
Offering a well-illuminated path for military entities to adapt and flourish within an ever-evolving global landscape, this book will be of much interest to students of military studies, security studies, and international relations, as well as military professionals and leaders in the field.
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Systems Theory Chapter 3: Military Design Thinking Chapter 4: Nurturing Creative Mindsets Chapter 5: Military Organisational Constraints and Conditions Chapter 6: Towards New Horizons
About the Author :
Cara Wrigley is a Professor of Design within the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology at The University of Queensland, Australia. She has published a number of books, including Design Thinking Pedagogy (2022), Design Innovation and Integration (2021), Design Innovation for Health and Medicine (2020), and Affected: Emotionally Engaging Customers in the Digital Age (2018).
Murray Simons is the Chief of Air Force Fellow at the University of New South Wales, where he teaches and supervises military students at the Australian Air and Space Power Centre. He has a doctorate in professional military education.
Review :
'This important work breaks new ground in exploring not what to think, but rather how to think, about future crises and conflicts. In this perplexing time of great geostrategic uncertainty coupled with rapid technological innovation, current methodologies are demonstrably inadequate. This book makes the case for combining design and systems thinking to address the cognitive shortcomings that prevents defence strategists and military professionals properly comprehending and responding to tomorrow’s tensions and possible wars.'
Dr. Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow Griffith Asia Insititute, and Associate Fellow, RUSI.
'This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the critical need for innovation and creative thinking in modern military strategy. This timely work addresses the evolving nature of global conflicts and the imperative for defence forces to adapt to increasingly complex challenges. The authors, drawing from their extensive experience with international defence organisations, introduce revolutionary concepts such as military design thinking. These innovative approaches serve as catalysts for transformative change within military operations. Through a combination of introspective analysis and real-world case studies, Wrigley and Simons offer valuable insights into mitigating cognitive biases and fostering a new era for military operations.
One of the book's strengths lies in its practical applications. It provides a clear pathway for military entities to not only adapt but thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. The authors' recommendations are poised to guide international militaries towards success in contemporary conflicts, emphasising the importance of staying ahead of adversaries in modern warfare. This work is particularly relevant for students of military studies, security studies, and International Relations, as well as military professionals seeking to enhance their strategic thinking. By challenging the status quo and advocating for out-of-the-box thinking, Wrigley and Simons present a compelling case for the integration of creativity and innovation in military thought. Creativity in Military Complexity is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of defence strategy and the role of innovative thinking in shaping military operations in an increasingly complex world.'
Amber C McKinley, Associate Professor, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, Charles Sturt University
'Commencing with an analysis of systems theory and design thinking, this book goes on to discuss their importance as tools to enhance innovation and creativity within militaries seeking to address the myriad challenges of the current operational environment. It concludes by offering several recommendations for military professionals, leaders and policy makers. These will make this book highly useful not just to an academic audience, but to practitioners who are seeking to enhance real-world outcomes.'
- Aaron P. Jackson, author of 'Military Design Thinking: An Historical and Paradigmatic Analysis'
