Mission engineering and analysis: innovations in the military decision making process

Abstract

We propose mission engineering and analysis to examine and develop viable solutions for complex issues. Systems engineering addresses technological and managerial challenges in the design and development of physical and virtual systems. The military decision process is a recognized method to develop a mission plan. The structure of mission engineering and analysis establishes the military planning process as its backbone, while systems engineering techniques serve as the internal controls and mechanisms. Scenario methodologies, modeling and simulation, hierarchical and value-focused thinking are systems engineering tools that shape the system of interest. This paper explains our ideas for creating a robust framework for tackling multidimensional problems. Mission engineering and analysis offers a holistic view of a system's development as part of a larger system. It begins with the combat mission that the system would support and ends with the system's integration in to operational unit that would apply it to achieve the mission. The process treats the system acquisition process as a sub-system. Previous methods have seen the operational mission as a start point. We designate the mission and mission plan, which may include weapon system development, as the complete system of interest. In doing so, we seek to deliver more robust and capable military and non-military systems, A notional implementation of mission engineering and analysis to assist fledgling countries conceptualize and develop solutions for border security issues captures the ideas presented in this paper.