Using Architectures for Research, Development, and Acquisition

As complex weapons systems increasingly rely on information technology, the interoperation of those systems becomes ever more critical. So does the need for new methods to acquire systems and assemble battle forces.

Using Architectures for Research, Development, and Acquisition, co-authored by Booz Allen principal Stephen Soules, shows how architectures can be used in a capabilities-based approach to the research, development and acquisition of Department of Defense (DoD) systems. It also provides the DoD community with new insights into capabilities-based acquisitions overall, and serves as a guide to charting the course for developing new capabilities.

Much has been written about architectures and about capabilities-based acquisition. This book looks at the pilot projects that have been used to test out architecture methodology, including one used for U.S. Navy fleet experimentation. The same methodology has also been used successfully to describe and assess components of two Fleet Battle Experiments, and to influence decision-making among U.S. coalition partners.

The book takes the reader through the recent evolution of the research, development and acquisition of DoD systems. The traditional practice was to organize the acquisition strategy around specific threats to be countered by individual systems, platforms or military components. The new strategy focuses on specific military capabilities delivered by a “family of systems.”

Prior to joining Booz Allen in 1999, Stephen Soules held a number of senior operations research and analysis positions supporting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence Systems, among others. He served as the first Director of the Joint C4ISR Decision Support Center, an independent research and analysis center directly supporting senior leaders in the DoD in making investment decisions for integrated command, control and intelligence systems.

summary posted October 2004

Using Architectures for Research, Development, and Acquisition, is authored by Charles Dickerson, Stephen Soules, Mark Sabins and Philipp Charles