Model-based Capability Development - an evaluation of implementation

FOI has on an assignment from the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters evaluated the implementation of Model-based Capability Development within the Armed Forces, during its initial phase in 2009. The purpose of the task is to provide background material in support of coming decisions on continued implementation Goal for Model-based Capability development The evaluation shows that there is today no single, clearly formulated goal for the implementation of model-based capability development. Without such a goal it is hard to identify what activities are required to reach the goal and there is a risk that activities that ultimately does not lead towards the goal are carried out. In our view, the lack of such a clearly formulated goal constitutes a fundamental problem for the continued implementation. Related to this, no overall plan for the implementation exists. Experience from the pilot projects The report from the Swedish Defence Material Administration on experiences gained from the pilot projects states that "the overall experience is that a model based approach according to MODAF is effective". In our opinion, there is no ground to draw this strong conclusion, based on the limited evidence gained from the pilot projects. Methodology in the pilot projects Our conclusion is that pilot projects is a useful way to test and gain experience on how to work in practice with model based capability development, but that the continued work should be more systematic, to assure that critical experiences are gained Connection between pilot projects and other activities During 2009, the pilot projects have worked in relative isolation, in so far as no one else has been critically dependent on their output. This is certainly a wise decision in this early phase, not endangering other activities, should the pilot project fail to deliver. In the next phase, pilot projects must be more closely connected to other activities. Only in this way can you learn how model based capability development can be put to effective use in practice.