A Framework for Enhancing Operational Capabilities

This report suggests a straightforward approach for linking defense system acquisition programs with our national security objectives. It reflects two related defense planning issues addressed in the report of the Packard Commission and in the Goldwater-Nichols Act, both in 1986: (1) lack of clarity regarding the relative importance and relevance of the military capabilities we are trying to achieve, and (2)excessive consumption of time, energy, and dollars in acquiring the systems to achieve these capabilities. The framework to link programs (tasks) to national security objectives elaborates on the concept of subordinate objectives-i.e., a plan of action (strategy) at one level of organization defines objectives for the next subordinate operational level. Planning efforts can be described as a hierarchy of objectives from national security objectives through subordinate objectives and finally to accomplishing specific military tasks, the fundamental building blocks of military capability.