Operational Thread Development: A Structured Approach to Capability Analysis

Abstract

This paper will introduce the Operational Thread Development (OTD) methodology for analyzing warfighting capability and assessing the contribution of potential solutions to filling identified capability deficiencies. The concept of effects-driven, capabilities-based planning and analysis has dominated the military force structure planning and acquisition cycles in recent years. Recently revised documents such as CJCSI 3170.01E, Joint Capabilities and Development System, require a rigorous approach to analyzing potential solutions to warfighting capability deficiencies. However, attempting to implement this guidance in a large-scale field experiment has proven challenging. OTD is a new, structured approach to planning, designing, and analyzing a large-scale field experiment that supports the capabilities-based construct. Specifically, this paper will describe the framework for capability analysis that was used for planning Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 (JEFX 06); a process for developing, executing, and analyzing operational threads; and a web-based toolset that supports this approach.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 20, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463185

Entities

People

  • Jean Wright
  • Scott Hamilton
  • William Solterbeck

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Combat Support
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Computing System Architectures
  • Control Systems
  • Domain Specific Programming Languages
  • Homeland Security
  • Measures Of Effectiveness
  • Network Architecture
  • Network Protocols
  • Organizational Structure
  • Security
  • Situational Awareness
  • Standards
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Systems Analysis and Design