Concept development & experimentation

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Concept Development & Experimentation (CD&E) (German: "Concept development and its experimental verification") is the designation of one of the essential core elements of the transformation process of the armed forces similar to networked operations management or the Effects Based Approach to Multinational Operations (EBAO) and the like. a. CD&E describes a possible approach to adapting and improving the capabilities of armed forces with regard to the security challenges of the 21st century.

The CD&E method in the context of the transformation of the Bundeswehr

Transformation is the continuous and proactive process of adapting the Bundeswehr to a rapidly evolving security environment with its political , social , economic and technological changes to the operational capability to increase the army and get them in the long run.

CD&E is a method that uses scientific methods to examine innovative ideas in an iterative process of mutual concept development and experimental verification for their operational benefit for the Bundeswehr. The aim of using the CD&E method is to identify the innovation potential inherent in a new idea at an early stage, to evaluate its relevance for the Bundeswehr, to check its feasibility and to examine its effectiveness . A verified proposal for a solution for future concepts, methods and planning, structures and systems should be developed. The creative potential of those involved should be used to a particular extent.

The CD&E method can be used to solve problems in all planning categories and in all fields of action in the transformation of the Bundeswehr . So she has u. a. a special meaning as a support method for the achievement of the transformational intermediate goal "first qualification of the Bundeswehr for networked operations management (NetOpFü)". Innovative solutions from the Bundeswehr, research or industry must be recorded, examined and further developed to conceptual maturity in such a way that the Bundeswehr can independently judge the respective content and objectives of the solution approaches examined. The validation of new CD&E concepts through experimental verification is a crucial basis for their feasibility and thus also for an increase in skills. CD&E projects thus make a contribution to the development of capabilities in the context of Bundeswehr planning.

The CD&E method is characterized by openness to results, scientific approach and the most holistic possible approach.

Principle explained using the example of removable media

The illustration shows the CD&E principle using the example of a removable storage medium . In the context of the need for portable data carriers, floppy disks provided a first possibility, which, due to further developments and larger storage capacities, initially led to the development of CD / DVD and finally to the USB stick . Here, innovative ideas in the development of new technologies are replaced in rapid succession. The rapid succession of time is vital. Existing systems will not only be further developed, but will in some cases be replaced by completely new technologies .

Process / methodology of a CD&E project

idea

The Bundeswehr Concept Entry Point (KES) was established to create a common entry point for submitting concept ideas. This is located at the Center for Transformation of the Bundeswehr (ZTransfBw) in Strausberg . While the concept ideas from the Bundeswehr can be sent directly to the KES, ideas from the commercial sector must be submitted to the Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) via the concept acceptance point due to the provisions of licensing and procurement law. The illustration clarifies the idea or the goal of the KES.

Every concept idea is submitted to an initial evaluation by the KES. In the event of different initial assessments of a concept idea, the CD&E office working group must deal with this problem. The ÄAG elaborates a coordinated proposal at the office level, which is then introduced into the ministerial working group (AG) CD&E. This makes the final decision on the acceptance of a concept idea as a topic for a new CD&E project. The procedure for receiving and initial assessment of concept ideas (VerfEEKI) is illustrated in the following figure.

After the concept idea has been approved, the project plans (VP) are drawn up with:

  • the description of the objective of the project and the framework conditions (VP ​​Part I = WHAT);
  • a derivation of the goals and development of the procedure (VP Part II = HOW);
  • an initial resource and time planning (VP Part III WHO / WHEN).

With the approval of the project plan by the CD&E working group and the issuing of instructions by the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg), the CD&E project is instructed.

Project development

The CD&E process will continue to be practiced according to the following basic ideas: Based on the concept idea, an experimented and evaluated recommendation for a joint armed forces concept, corresponding methods and procedures as well as structures and systems should be developed. This CD&E concept usually goes through several phases until it has reached a defined stage of development. The concept development is supported by "experiments". Experiments should check the draft concept in different stages of development under scientific (laboratory) conditions . Whenever possible, the CD&E experiments should be supported by simulation systems. It is to be expected that one or more experiments of various forms will be required in each phase of the concept development.

The concept development is continuously evaluated as part of quality assurance in order to stop undesirable developments early, to conserve financial resources and to avoid wasted time.

literature

  • Wilfried Honekamp (Ed.): Experimentation in complex organizations. An update of the experiences from the practical application of Concept Development & Experimentation. ReDiRoma-Verlag, Remscheid 2010.
  • Wilfried Honekamp (Ed.): Concept Development & Experimentation. Experience from the practical application of the method for transforming armed forces. ReDiRoma-Verlag, Remscheid 2008.
  • Sebastian Schäfer: Concept Development & Experimentation (CD&E). An introduction. 2006, ( pdf )
  • NATO Code of Best Practice for C2 Assessment. CCRP Publication Series, 2002. ( pdf )
  • David S. Alberts, Richard E. Hayes: Code of Best Practice for Experimentation. CCRP Publication Series, 2002. ( pdf )
  • David S. Alberts, Richard E. Hayes: Campaigns of Experimentation. CCRP Publication Series, 2005. ( pdf )
  • Guide for Understanding and Implementing Defense Experimentation. The Technical Cooperation Program, 2005. ( pdf )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Air Force Office, Center for Development of the Air Force: EBAO - Effect-based approach to operations management. Retrieved September 29, 2019 .
  2. ↑ Sebastian Schäfer: The CD&E method . In: Wilfried Honekamp (Ed.): Concept Development & Experimentation . 1st edition. Rediroma-Verlag, Remscheid, ISBN 978-3-86870-014-5 , p. 14-38 .
  3. ↑ Sebastian Schäfer: Concept Development & Experimentation (CD&E). An introduction . Ed .: Air Force Office, Center for the Development of the Air Force. 1st edition. S. 8 .
  4. ^ Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr, Section T 1.6: CD&E - Concept Development and Experimentation. Retrieved September 29, 2019 .
  5. ^ Dietrich Stock: The concept entry point of the Bundeswehr . In: Wilfried Honekamp (Ed.): Concept Development & Experimentation . 1st edition. Rediroma-Verlag, Remscheid, ISBN 978-3-86870-014-5 , p. 209-211 .
  6. ↑ Wilfried Honekamp, ​​Stephan Kramer: The concept development path using the example of Common Umbrella . In: Wilfried Honekamp (Ed.): Concept Development & Experimentation . 1st edition. Rediroma-Verlag, Remscheid, ISBN 978-3-86870-014-5 , p. 39-44 .