The Inefficiencies And Unnecessary Complexities In The Army Force Management Process
Pat, I agree there are inefficiencies and unnecessary complexities in the Army Force Management process. Secretary Rumsfeld wanted more flexibility in the process and shorter decision cycles. His approach of Adaptive Planning was not successful because it overburdened many staff. Because something is difficult and different does not make it wrong. Because of limited budgets and federal regulation, unfortunately some levels of complexity for approval and audit purposes are required.
The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) focuses to heavily on top-down institutional inputs. Combatant commanders along with supporting agencies require multiple opportunities in the process to provide input. General Pace supported
a collaborative and partnering decision-making style and initiated an assessment to revise the original process. The current JCIDS process was finalized in December 2008 by Chairman Mulen. (Meinhart, p. 24) The process requires a balance between flexibility and structure. (Meinhart, p. 26)
Kevin