We have already defined the capability using the CC and CS. We have also specified the tasks that a unit with such capabilities should be able to do. However, we still have not defined HOW it will be done.
Let's consider our example of local capability to collect intelligence and build the battle picture:
- This can be done by different weapon systems and intelligence collecting means, each require a separate set of personnel skills and trainings. Our organization may already have such weapons and we should make sure they are properly embedded in the infantry BNs. On the other hand, it might be a starting point for a new weapon system development project, or an upgrade project to an existing weapon system.
- Collecting the data, processing it, and generating the combat picture is not enough. The fighting doctrine, communication means, collaboration tools, and so on, should be developed or adjusted to maximize the benefits and effectiveness of the new capability.
DOTMLPF Lines of Development are as follows:
- Doctrine
- How the forces fight, for example, emphasizing maneuver warfare combined air-ground campaigns.
- Organization
- How the force is organized to fight; divisions, air wings, Marine-Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs), and so on.
- Training
- How the force prepares to fight tactically; basic training to advanced individual training, various types of unit training, joint exercises, and so on.
- Materiel
- Equipment, apparatus, and supplies necessary to equip the forces, that is, weapons, spares, and so on, so they can operate effectively.
- Leadership and education
- How to prepare leaders to lead the fight from squad leader to 4-star general/admiral; professional development.
- Personnel
- Availability of qualified people for peacetime, wartime, and various contingency operations.
- Facilities
Real property; installations and industrial facilities (for example, government-owned ammunition production facilities) that support the forces.
Organization, Material, Personnel and Facilities are four topics addressed in Lines of Development solution.
There are several methods that you can use to define what a unit requires to achieve the desired outcome (that is, the effect of the capability), identify the gaps between what we have and what is needed, and derive the development activities to close these gaps.
The common method in use by most NATO countries is DOTMLPF Lines of Development. This concept covers a 360 degree view of both soft and hard measures, as listed above.
The Defense and Security solution provides functionality to support the following:
- Doctrine: Can be defined by the Mission Essential Task List (METL) and supporting documents that describe the Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures (TTP) about how to perform the tasks.
- Organization: The Table of Organization and Equipping (TOE) describes the Force Elements and their hierarchical relationships in different structure types, as covered in a different unit.
- Training: Individual training is covered by the HCM or SFSF solution. Collected training and main exercises are covered in the Defense and Security solution, and also by the list METLs.
- Material: Authorized equipment such as weapon systems, communication, vehicles, and so on, are defined in the Defense and Security solution by FMPO, which is covered in the Logistic training. Spare parts and other provisions are also defined in the Defense and Security solution.
- Personnel: Managing the positions and required qualifications, as well as the actual assignment of people to positions.
- Facilities: Authorized facilities and other assets.
LOD are defined as follows:
- For the organizational unit itself (for example, equipment authorizations) mainly as part of the TOE (this part is covered in other units and lessons of this course).
- For the Capability, or, to be more precise, for the link between the Capability Statement and Capability Code.
A Capability code can have one capability variant, and multiple individual assignment of capability statements.
The planner can define lines of development (that is, METLs, FMPO, and Jobs) and relate them to the link between the CS and CC, that is, LOD are defined for each CS in the context of the CC. This allows the same CS to be fulfilled by different weapons, professions, and tasks, depending on the Capability Code.
For example, a Capability Statement such as "Deliver a package up to 1kg to a destination within 10km within 30 minutes" can be to have a motorcycle driver (job) and a motorcycle (equipment) in one Capability Statement, and a drone operator (job) and drone (equipment) in another Capability Statement.
METL appear in two contexts:
- METL that are directly linked to the CC, describing the major task of this CC.
- METL that describe the LOD of a CS of this CC.
The Defense and Security includes another process of Scenarios and Alternatives evaluation, which is not covered in this course.