Showcasing Conceptual Force Planning with Capabilities and METLs

Capability Planning can be seen in D&S overall solution map as part of Capability Management.

The image shows a diagram of the force generation and deployment process, including various components such as force planning, capability management, logistics, finance, workforce management, and strategic management. The diagram is divided into sections covering different aspects of this process, including planning, force generation, force employment, and force support.

Capability Based Planning

Capability is the ability to achieve a desired effect under specified standards and conditions through combinations of means and ways to perform a set of tasks.

The image depicts a concept of a secure and resilient country, with a focus on protecting inland, securing major infrastructure, ensuring open sea routes, aerial superiority, protecting borders, power plants, water and food supply, and roads.

Capability Based Planning (CBP) is a method that involves a functional analysis of operational requirements. Capabilities are identified based on the tasks required. Once the required capability inventory is defined, the most cost effective and efficient options to satisfy the requirements are sought. These options are evaluated in the context of a robust set of threat scenarios.

CBP is a systematic approach to force development that aims to advise on the most appropriate force options to meet government priorities. The force options developed should meet strategic objectives, minimize cost and risk and comply with other constraints

CBP has several major building blocks. First, as CBP is output oriented, it must have high-level capability objectives derived from government guidance. Second, CBP needs to consider the way in which the force will fight. This generally takes the form of top-level doctrine or some overarching operational concept. Third, CBP uses standard groupings - capability clusters or capability partitions to make the process more manageable. Fourth, the resulting capabilities are realized within available resources.

Capabilities, or the ability to perform a particular task, provide the common framework used for relating and comparing disparate elements of a defense organization. CBP relies on a structured view of the world to divide the organization into more manageable groupings. These groups are referred to as capability partitions. These capability partitions are inevitably based around the ability to perform tasks, or to deliver effects, for example, "Control and Denial of the Underwater Battle-space".

The outcome of CBP should be an effective investment strategy that develops and sustains the capability priorities identified through the planning exercise

SAP New Force Management with S/4HANA D&S

When performing Capability-Based planning, one defines first the capabilities to be achieved by our future or existing forces. Capabilities are identified based on the tasks required.

The options to achieve the required capabilities are then formulated into typical force structures by their TOE - a Table of Organization and Equipment, or Reference Force Elements in SAP. The Reference Force Element is a type of a military unit, or a template of a unit, rather than an actual one.

The image shows a comprehensive diagram that illustrates the relationship between different concepts in military operations, including METLs (Mission Essential Task Lists), Capability Tree, Reference Force Elements (TOE), and Actual Force Elements (MTOE). The diagram uses various icons, text boxes, and connections to convey the interconnectedness of these elements in a structured manner.

A military will have one or more actual units for every template. The actual units will be represented as Force Elements in SAP. In most armed services, such units will feature a number in the name (e.g. 113th Tank Battalion). Different Force Elements linked to the same Reference Force Element will be very similar in tasks, capabilities, structures, authorized materiel and personnel. Small variations between the units can still be accommodated, but serious differences in operational capabilities and tasks will require a creation of another, more specialized template.

Use of Capabilities in Defense Planning

The image depicts the processes involved in Force Generation and Force Employment. The Force Generation section outlines steps such as defining capability, defining capability statements, identifying lines of development, and assigning to designated force elements. The Force Employment section involves defining required capability for a mission, identifying units with these capability codes, evaluating the readiness of these units, and assigning the best candidate to the mission.

Capabilities can be used in all defense planning processes:

Strategic Planning

Weapon system development / improvements
Generate a new type of unit

Mid-Term Planning

Adjust organizational structure
Identify new jobs
Training plans

Short-Term Planning

Operations planning
Force dispatch alternatives

CBP has two fundamental differences from other forms of traditional Capability Planning. First, it concentrates on what you need to do rather than what you have. Second, it attempts to move away from suggesting solutions too early in the process. The aim of delaying a decision on narrowing options is to encourage the development of more innovative alternatives and to help overcome simply replacing platforms and/or equipment with like-for-like. For example, it replaces questions such as "what options are there for new artillery?" with "how can we provide fire support to land forces?".

Due to the complex nature of the problem being addressed and the analytical rigor needed, an incremental approach which develops a number of products on the way is probably most practical.

It starts with the overarching guidance, identifies capability gaps, explores options and ends with an affordable investment plan.

Most defense equipment can be used in multiple ways and therefore can be used across several capability partitions. Therefore, it is important to share the information elicited in one capability partition with the others and to prepare analysis using consolidated force development options when providing insights on the final force structure.

Key Terms

Capability Codes (CC) are unique alphanumeric descriptors of capabilities. Capability Hierarchies (CH) are the tools used to map each CC to a hierarchy tier. These tiers are defined by the capability's function.

The image shows a table titled ENGAGE (E) with the heading JOINT MANOEUVRE - Land (E.1.2). The table lists various military units, including Reconnaissance Brigade, Cavalry Heavy Battalion, Cavalry Medium Battalion, Cavalry Light Battalion, Armoured Heavy Brigade, Armoured Heavy Battalion, Heavy Infantry Brigade, Medium Infantry Brigade, Light Infantry Brigade, and Mountain Light Infantry Brigade.

Capability Statements (CS) express capability requirements in concrete terms. Lines of Development include doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities (DOTMLPF). Mission Essential Task Lists (METL): A task that the commander has designated as essential to mission accomplishment.

These terms provide a common ground for defense planning across different nations, each with its own organizational structure and weapon systems.

They are used to bridge the gaps between the government and command vision and intent (unstructured information) and the structured information in the form of force structure, equipment allocation and training plans.