8.3.1 An instrument for establishing the operational need for the Dutch Defense

Abstract

AbstractThe information process towards the Dutch parliament on the acquisition of defence material has improved considerable. Though several aspects are not or not to the appropriate detail addressed during the acquisition process, as was shown in an other research on the Dutch Defense System Acquisition Process. The same kinds of research was performed on the information process of the “Establishment of the Operation Need” of the Dutch Defense System Planning Process. This process lacks the structure and contents to adequately inform the Dutch Parliament on the transition from the planning via the operational need toward the actual acquisition process. Part of the problem is found in the way the Defense organization comprehends the actual need, and is a result of inadequate systems thinking. For the structuring problem a solution was proposed in rewriting the procedure and including an aspect list as a check list for writing appropriate documents.