Capability-based Planning Research Articles

Enhancing the Accessibility of Text Data in Decision Making for Capability-based Planning Using Ontology: A Perspective of Semantic Compliance

Project introduction texts provide decision-makers with essential information for project portfolio planning. These free texts offer valuable information about how developing capabilities align with their strategic goals. Capability-based Planning (CBP) process is concerned with optimizing the project portfolio to realize the planning, engineering, and delivery of these capabilities. However, up to now, the research on enhancing accessibility to free text data in the CBP decision-making process through semantic modeling is limited, leading the CBP’s decision-makers to ignore the potential advantages of existing semantic modeling methods when dealing with many free texts. This paper aims to address this gap by introducing knowl­edge modeling and mining of project introduction text corpus, leveraging semantic technology to support CBP. First, we design an ontology of capability to describe the core concepts relevant to the CBP process. Subsequently, a semantic framework based on the RDF knowl­edge graph is proposed, enabling humans and machines to comprehend project description texts. To capture the semantic data essential for CBP, a motif structure is employed to model semantic expressions, ensuring their consistency with CBP concepts through compliance checks. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed semantic framework is evaluated by querying the project’s knowl­edge graph after semantic normalization, providing an assessment of its potential in CBP applications.

Automated Manufacturing Toolchain using Skill-based Digital Twins

Digital twins with a skill-based description are increasingly finding their way into industrial production. Their models link properties of a product with available process capabilities that are realized by resource skills. A matchmaking derives capable resources, e.g. for modular assembly systems. For capability-based planning in manufacturing, integration with computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs is missing. This paper presents an automated toolchain with focus on subtractive manufacturing using skill-based digital twins. Product-Process-Resource (PPR) models are used and enriched with subtractive manufacturing information and further relations. A configurator allows the design of the individual digital product twin, which can synchronously be generated as a 3D model using a CAD service. Necessary subtractive manufacturing steps including capable resources are then determined in a planning environment and fed into the CAM system. This allows an individual generation of machining code based on PPR information, which can be validated on a simulation model. The result is an automated tool chain of different software services, which are composed by a common description of the PPR model and the software services themselves. By defined models and interfaces the toolchain is not restricted to subtractive manufacturing but enables the integration of computer-aided everything (CAx) services.

Urban Digital Twin and urban planning for sustainable cities

Cities nowadays need to have long-term visions and perspectives to achieve the ambitious targets for which vast investments are being made. They need to act with competence and capability-based planning, and to come up with suitable solutions. Technology is unquestionably a factor of crucial importance when aiming for these targets. Digital innovation, based on data knowledge, analysis and projection, is crucial to tackle the most demanding challenges of our times. The methodological approach proposed here is an Urban Digital Twin applied to cities as a predictive model to obtain a projection of their development in terms of sustainability.

Conceptual model for capability planning in a military context – A systems thinking approach

AbstractDuring recent decades, planning defense systems have evolved into capability‐based planning (CBP) processes. This paper seeks to answer two questions: firstly, how to express a complex, real‐world capability requirement; and secondly, how to assess if a system with interacting elements fulfills this requirement. We propose that both a capability need and the solution fulfilling it are expressed with a consistent set of models in a traceable manner. The models integrate current capability models, specific to planning level and capability viewpoint, with systems thinking approach. Our conceptual model defines the defense system in its environment, our data model defines and organizes the CBP terms, and our class diagram defines the CBP planning elements. We illustrate the approach by giving an example of capability parametrization and compare it both with the DODAF capability view and with the generic CBP process. Our data model describes how capabilities are degraded in action and extends the approach toward capability dynamics. The quantitative capability definition aims to support efforts to solve for real world interacting subsystems that combined implement the required capability.

Теоретичні аспекти поняття «ресурси» та їх класифікація

Abstract. Introduction. Today, Ukraine is on the path of reforms and changes, and therefore one of the priorities of national security is the development of the security and defense sector, whose task is to ensure adequate response and response to threats to national security of Ukraine, rationally using available capabilities and resources. Ukraine’s national security depends on sufficient resource provision and efficient use of resources in the security and defense sector. The introduction of a systematic approach to capability-based defense planning identifies ways to develop and achieve maximum efficiency of existing capabilities with minimal budget expenditures. The article analyzes the definition of the category "resources" used in scientific sources and legal documents. The classification of the category "resources" in the regulatory framework is analyzed. Based on this analysis, the author proposes an appropriate definition and classification of the term "resources". Proposals for the classification of resources in the management of defense resources are given. Purpose. The relevance of studying the problem of resource management, associated with the constant change of the economic situation, a significant increase in competition between economic entities for resource markets and markets for finished products. In addition, ensuring the sustainable competitiveness of the enterprise and increase the efficiency of its operation in conditions of financial instability directly depends on the efficiency of its resources. Results. The article analyzes the definition of the category "resources" used in scientific sources and regulations. The classification of the category "resources" in the legislative and regulatory framework is analyzed. Based on this analysis, the authors propose an appropriate definition and classification of the term "resources". The interdependence of the National Security of Ukraine on sufficient resource provision and efficient use of resources in the security and defense sector is considered. The introduction of a systematic approach to capability-based defense planning identifies ways to develop and achieve maximum efficiency of existing capabilities with minimal budget expenditures. Proposals for the classification of resources in the management of defense resources are given. Conclusions. It has been established that capability-based defense planning involves the creation, development and maintenance of the optimal composition of the required capabilities within the available resources. Ukraine has set a course for Euro-Atlantic integration, which means that it complies with the standards of the legal framework in the management of defense resources with the regulatory framework of the NATO armed forces, so there is a need to clarify the basic concepts of the resource management system. Methodological approaches to resource management need to be changed in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their use

Use of the SWOT Analysis in the Field of National Security Planning

The authors propose to improve the methodology of operational and service activities planning based on the methodology of defense planning within the national security system on the basis of opportunities. The capability-based planning will allow for better planning of operational and service activities of the border agency and will ensure active cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in order to achieve the criteria necessary for full membership in the Alliance. A defense survey is conducted to assess the state and readiness of the defense forces to perform tasks related to the defense of Ukraine, the state of their personnel, financial, logistical and other types of support in the current and projected conditions of the security environment. The survey of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine was conducted using an analytical method, namely the analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT-analysis), which allows substantiating the main directions of the Development Strategy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and increasing the level of operational and service activities planning within the system of national security. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is a component of the security and defense sector and the new conditions the border agency operates in arise the issue on improving the methodology of planning its operational and service activities. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01280 Full Text: PDF

Some Aspects of Capability-based Planning in the Field of National Security

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is a component of the security and defense sector and the new conditions the border agency operates in arise the issue on improving the methodology of planning its operational and service activities. The authors propose to improve the methodology of operational and service activities planning based on the methodology of defense planning within the national security system on the basis of opportunities. The capability-based planning will allow for better planning of operational and service activities of the border agency and will ensure active cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in order to achieve the criteria necessary for full membership in the Alliance. A defense survey is conducted to assess the state and readiness of the defense forces to perform tasks related to the defense of Ukraine, the state of their personnel, financial, logistical and other types of support in the current and projected conditions of the security environment. The survey of the state of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine was conducted using an analytical method, namely the analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT-analysis), which allows substantiating the main directions of the Development Strategy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and increasing the level of operational and service activities planning within the system of national security.

Формування підходів до оборонного планування на основі спроможностей з урахуванням ресурсного забезпечення

Ukraine's focus on the Euro-Atlantic course necessitates the need to bring defense planning closer to NATO standards. Capability-based planning (hereinafter – CBP) is one of the approaches to defense planning, which features the development of defense forces' capabilities to effectively counter threats and risks of both military and non-military nature, taking into account probable long-term crisis scenarios, usually 10-15 years. As Ukraine has decided on the priority of joining NATO, the analysis of the peculiarities of the use of the CBP for the development of its own defense forces becomes even more important.The content of planning the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the basis of capabilities consists of a set of measures carried out according to common principles and standards in order to timely form, prepare and apply in operations the relevant capabilities. This is achieved through the implementation of several interrelated steps: analysis of strategic guidelines (goals) and political strategy of the state; work on of situation variants (scenarios of application of the Armed Forces); defining tasks for troops (forces) in accordance with possible application scenarios; determination of requirements to the capabilities of troops (forces) for a certain period; identification of capacity gaps; search and justification of decisions on the optimal allocation of resources.The basis for calculating the cost of maintaining a set of capacity carriers for the current year may be the share of the life cycle cost of the capacity carrier for the planning year of its total value, or a pre-planned total cost of maintenance for a particular year. By definition, the cost of a carrier's life cycle is the total cost of its development, preparation for adoption, acquisition, maintenance and operation, and disposal.After developing a variant of the projected amount of financing (resource provision) of the defense forces during the forecast years, the effectiveness of the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of the defense forces for the medium term is assessed.

Computer Assisted Wargame for Military Capability-Based Planning.

Capability-based planning as an approach to defense planning is an almost infinitely complex engineered system with countless nodes and layers of interdependency, influenced by state and non-state diplomatic activities, information, military and economic actions creating secondary and third order effects. The main output of capability-based planning is the set of capability requirements needed to achieve the expected end-state. One revitalized qualitative technique that allows us to gain insights into unstructured and fuzzy problems in the military is wargaming—in its simplest form this involves manual wargaming. At the same time, there has been a push to bring computer assistance to such wargaming, especially to support umpire adjudication and move more generally towards full automation of human elements in wargames. However, computer assistance in wargaming should not be pushed, regardless of cost, towards quantitative techniques. The objective complexity of a problem often does not allow us to replicate the operational environment with the required fidelity to get credible experimental results. This paper discusses a discovery experiment aiming to verify the concept of applying a qualitative expert system within computer assisted wargaming for developing capability requirements in order to reduce umpire bias and risk associated with their decisions. The innovation here lies in applying system dynamics modelling and simulation paradigms when designing the theoretical model of capability development, which forms the core of the expert system. This new approach enables qualitative comparisons between different sets of proposed capability requirements. Moreover, the expert system allows us to reveal the effects of budget cuts on proposed capability requirement solutions, which the umpire was previously unable to articulate when comparing individual solutions by relying solely on his own knowledge. Players in the wargame validated the proposed concept and suggested how the study might be developed going forward: namely, by enabling users to define their own capabilities and not being limited by a predefined set of capabilities.

Планування розвитку спроможностей ракетних військ і артилерії Збройних Сил України: понятійний апарат

Analysis of regulations, practical implementation of measures during the implementation of defense planning based on Capability-Based Defense Planning System during 2019 revealed differences in the views of experts. They are mainly related to the lack of a unified vision of the conceptual apparatus and methodology for translating capabilities into quantitative and qualitative indicators for the transition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other components of Defense Forces to Capability-Based Planning. The purpose of the article is to define the notion of “Planning development of capabilities of Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” (RFA). Today as part of the Defense Review in Ukraine addresses the RFA development planning task based on the Capability-Based Planning procedures outlined in the Guidelines (methodical recommendations). At the same time, an analysis of recent research shows that the content of RFA reform and development planning processes in previous years did not respond to its functions and as a result, the goals of RFA reform and development were not achieved. An analysis of current conceptual papers on capability-based defense planning shows that researchers and experts have several points of view on the essence of the concept of and its relationship to such concepts as “capability” and “combat capability”. To provide greater visibility into the concept of “RFA Capability Development Planning”, the concept of “RFA Capability Development Management” is formalized. The essence of such management is to implement a set of measures to eliminate the mismatch between the actual state of the RFA and the desired state. That is one that must be determined based on the needs of satisfying the military security of the state, considered it’s a resource and economic capabilities. The RFA capability development management process can be considered as the RFA capability development planning process and the planning output implementation process.

Аналіз досвіду провідних країн світу щодо планування спроможностей сил оборони із застосуванням автоматизації процесів ресурсного забезпечення

The issue of the efficient distribution of the financial resource allocated by the state between the components of the defense forces is of particular relevance in the context of using units and subunits to solve combat and special tasks in easternUkraine, as well as in the context of an increase in the level of threats fromRussia.In such a situation, planning the capabilities of the defense forces with changing requirements for the resource support system, taking into account the use of new methods of action, maximizing the use of available forces and means at a fast pace, the ability to automate the processes of resource support of various command and control units, when performing interspecific operations of components of the defense forces, is relevant scientific and practical task.The aim of the article is to analyze the experience of the leading countries of the world in providing the capabilities of the defense forces with the use of automation of resource support processes.At present, capability-based planning (CBP) is a standard procedure for planning the development of the national armed forces and an integral component of the transformation processes in NATO countries. The content of the CBP process consists of several interrelated steps: analysis of strategic directions and political strategy of the state; development of scenarios for the use of aircraft; defining tasks for troops (forces) in accordance with possible application scenarios; substantiation of requirements for the capabilities of troops (forces) for a certain period; determination of lack of ability; optimal allocation of resources.All parts of the US Land Forces widely apply capacity planning in conjunction with the automation of resource support processes. The command of the US Army believes that in a future war this will allow more quickly and efficiently solve the tasks of supplying units and subunits with everything necessary.Automation of resource support processes at various management levels will allow:to help resolve the issue of organizing the interaction of defense forces at all levels;reduce the time for obtaining and comprehensive evaluation of information about material assets at all stages of their movement;simplify and speed up collateral processes;in the future, it will improve interaction with similar systems of the leading countries of the world.

Quantifying risk through the use of the consolidated risk assessment process

The consolidated risk assessment (CRA) allows for risk to be quantified and thereby can be used as a measuring tool to determine process investment priorities in the capability-based planning (CBP) process. The CRA has potential application across Canada working with government and regional sectors. Through risk modeling, the potential of risk and its inherent consequence can be used to determine the success of investment in mitigating the identified threat. The CRA presents a new opportunity to improve how risk is measured, monitored, managed, and minimized through the four phases of emergency management, namely prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. Defence Research and Development Canada is interested in researching and developing the possible benefits of a comprehensive approach to risk assessment and management to reduce risk throughout Canada. The CRA model provides a framework against which potential risk can be measured and quantified, thereby improving safety for all Canadians.

Translation of Capability Requirement Into Management by Objectives Environment

Abstract Capability-based planning focused on materialisation of Alliance´s ambitions has already been a reality for national strategic planners for several years. This relatively new planning environment offers not only new, broader possibilities but also new challenges. Although there are several documents describing capability-based planning available but no one is focused on a methodology how recognised capability needs is possible to translate into a common planning system explored within national ministries of defence. This article has an aim to overbridge this gap using a logical link between a package of required capabilities and existing hierarchy of goals, measures and tasks exploring a functional areas (DOTLMPFI) tool. Considering an idea the capability is a dynamic issue having its own specific life cycle it is necessary to think over various phases of its life. These phases influence directly a real level of the capability. Hence various phases have their own demands on allocated resources it is not sufficient to plan resources just for achievement of an appropriate level of the needed capability but it is also necessary to pay attention to other parts of the life cycle, especially sustainment.

Comparative Analysis of National Approaches to Military Capability Planning

Abstract National defence planning processes are often compared with the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP). Taking into account that NDPP needs commonly agreed criteria to evaluate military capabilities of the different nations, and given the significant effort invested in performance measurement by several nations, it would be beneficial to examine how respective nations are currently assessing their performance within the capability-based planning process, with a view to establishing potential common measures that would benefit individual nations while addressing the needs of NATO at the same time. The principles which the NDPP is based on are referred to in some of national defence strategic documents, although there is no explicitly statement that the national defence planning process should be tailored in the same way as it is the case of the NDPP. In order to find an answer to the above mentioned issue and identify common practices and lessons to support capability planning within nations and NATO an analysis was carried out with the objective of identifying to which extent national planning processes of respective nations correlate with principles of NDPP as well as with principles of the EU capability development.

Scenario-based multi-period program optimization for capability-based planning using evolutionary algorithms

Capability-based planning (CBP) is a strategy focused planning framework that facilitates organizations to systematically develop capacity to achieve their business objectives in highly uncertain, dynamic and competitive environments. Capability programming is an integral part of CBP which requires selecting a portfolio of capability projects for execution, referred as a capability program, such that the overall strategic risk facing the planning organization across a number of projected future operating scenarios is minimized while maintaining the most economical choice. It is a challenging optimization problem that requires handling a number of dynamic constraints and objectives that vary throughout the entire planning horizon. An optimizing simulation approach is presented in this paper that combines an evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithm with a reinforcement learning technique to generate capability programs which optimize strategic risks and program costs across multiple planning scenarios as well as over a rolling planning horizon. The role of the optimization algorithm in this approach is to search for the non-dominated capability programs at each decision point by minimizing the strategic risks associated with individual capability projects across a number of planning scenarios as well as the total cost of the program. The reinforcement learning algorithm, on the other hand, searches horizontally within the set of non-dominated programs to minimize capability risks and costs over the entire planning horizon. The methodology is evaluated on a test problem generated based on the data distributions in an Australian Defence Capability Plan and the performance is compared with two myopic heuristic methods.

From Basic Defense Force Concept to Capability-Based Planning: For Mission-Oriented Force Planning Construct

From Basic Defense Force Concept to Capability-Based Planning: For Mission-Oriented Force Planning Construct

Aligning force planning and systems acquisition

AbstractWith the dawn of democracy in South Africa, there was a general shift in paradigm in the utilisation of the defence force. The formation of Joint Operations Division signalled a new era for the SANDF and a drive towards jointness in operations, which meant joint planning for the future. Acquisition in the SANDF is governed by Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP) 1000 based on sound System Engineering principles. This policy defines eight levels of the system hierarchy. This is important to distinguish between the various levels of employment and complexity. This study focusses on the interface between systems levels 5, 6 and 7.The ROC is drafted by arms of services with Joint Operations division (which specifies capability requirements) only involved in its approval process. This in turn creates a gap between force planning and acquisition of product systems. In assessing the alignment of future defence objectives and prospective acquisition programs, the efforts to assess this gap has four areas to deal with, namely, implementation of Capability‐based planning (CBP), assessment of the link between capability requirements and acquisition programs, the link between technology planning and capability development and lastly the engineering concept required to take over from System of System Engineering from Level 7. Survey and case study methods were used for this research to assess whether there exists a gap between capability development and systems engineering as it is done in the SANDF and devise proposals to deal with the gap should it be found to exist.

An enterprise portfolio approach for defence capability planning

Capability-based planning (CBP) is considered by many defence organisations to be the best practice for enterprise-level planning, analysis and management. This approach, loosely based around investment portfolio theory, is premised on balancing the cost, benefit and risk of capability options across the defence enterprise. However a number of authors have recently noted limitations of its current applications. The authors propose a more general, insurance-based approach, which can support the evolutionary improvement of the current CBP approach. This approach is implemented as hedging-based planning and aims to better reflect the enterprise nature of defence organisations, capturing both force structure and force generation aspects of military systems.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Health Hazard Assessment

A ll communities, explicitly or implicitly, assess and prepare for the natural and manmade hazards that they know could impact their community. The commonality of hazard-based threats in most all communities does not usually result in standard or evidence-based preparedness practice and outcomes across those communities. Without specific efforts to build a shared perspective and prioritization, "all-hazards" preparedness can result in a random hodgepodge of priorities and preparedness strategies, resulting in diminished emergency response capabilities. Traditional risk assessments, with a focus on physical infrastructure, do not present the potential health and medical impacts of specific hazards and threats. With the implementation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's capability-based planning, there is broad recognition that a health-focused hazard assessment process--that engages the "Whole of Community"--is needed. Los Angeles County's Health Hazard Assessment and Prioritization tool provides a practical and innovative approach to enhance existing planning capacities. Successful utilization of this tool can provide a way for local and state health agencies and officials to more effectively identify the health consequences related to hazard-specific threats and risk, determine priorities, and develop improved and better coordinated agency planning, including community engagement in prioritization.

Developing a comprehensive, integrated and meaningful Multi-year Training and Exercise Plan

A Multi-year Training and Exercise Plan (MYTEP) is required for compliance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). The MYTEP is an important tool to a) assist agencies to identify the capabilities necessary for effective preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery and b) develop a training and exercise schedule to meet this need. Federal guidance in completing the MYTEP focuses on the following three key elements: applying the HSEEP building block approach, capability-based planning, and the cycle of continual improvement. The guidance is helpful but requires thoughtful consideration of the interplay between these elements. This article discusses many challenges and solutions for designing an integrated MYTEP including: a) the extent to which the agency goal is to build agency-level or human-level capability, b) the need to address cross-cutting capabilities in resource scarce environments, c) building and maintaining necessary core capabilities, and d) integrating sponsor-required exercises. The application of these concepts is then illustrated using a case example where a MYTEP was designed with a tribal Office of Emergency Management.