Formalizing the Missions and Means Framework Specification

1
Formalizing theMissions and Means Framework
Specification

• Jim Watkins
• Carolyn Hare
• Roy Scrudder
• Applied Research Laboratories
• The University of Texas
• Jack Sheehan
• PM UA Combined Test Organization

2
Formalizing the Missions and Means Framework
Specification

• Missions and Means Framework (MMF) Background
• Developing the MMF Data Model
• Data Relationships Between Entities
• Formal Specification Requirements for Key
  Entities
• Conclusions and Recommendations

3
Missions and Means Framework Background

• MMF Goals and Objectives
• Unify warfighter, engineer and comptroller
  understanding
• Account for both objectively measurable and
  subjective factors for assessing mission success
• Be sufficiently credible, timely, and affordable
  to make hard decisions
• Provide a disciplined process to implement
  transformation guidance
• Bridge the gap between warfighter concepts and
  structured representations for MS and
  development of tools
• Purpose of this Paper
• Present and initial product for formalizing MMF
  semantics and syntax
• Further the development and application of MMF
  concepts to real-world planning and MS challenges

4
Key Concepts of theMissions and Means Framework

• Seven Levels of Mission Content
• Stocking versus Assembly Perspectives
• Missions versus Means
• Processes of Synthesis and Employment
• MMF a Two-Sided Framework

5
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkSeven Levels of Mission Content

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

6
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkStocking Perspective

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

7
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkAssembly Perspective

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

8
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkSeven Levels of Mission Content
Mission

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

Means
9
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkSynthesis is a Top-Down Process
Synthesis
Mission

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

Means
10
Fundamental Elements of the Missions and Means
FrameworkEmployment is a Bottom-Up Process
Synthesis
Mission

• Level-7 Purpose Mission
• The Why and Wherefore. An assignment with a
  purpose that indicates the action to be taken.
  What the required outcomes are and who has
  been assigned them
• Level-6 Environment Context
• Under what circumstances a mission is to be
  accomplished.
• Level-5 Index Location/Time
• Where (geo-spatial) and when with what TPFDD
  execution matrix
• Level-4 Tasks Operations
• Task-based, outcome-centric specification of
  Operations that provide the Means to accomplish
  the Mission. Objective organize Task outcomes,
  evaluate Mission effectiveness
• Level-3 Functions Capabilities
• Function-based, performance-centric how well
  specifications of Capabilities.
• Level-2 Components Forces
• Component-based, state-centric specifications of
  the Forces that provide the Means. Network of
  units, personnel, and equipment. Physical and
  logical networking.
• Level-1 Interactions Effects
• Interaction-based, phenomena-centric
  specification of Effects of Operations on Forces

Means
Employment
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The Missions and Means FrameworkOpposing Forces
Have the Same Structure
6. Context, Environment (Military, Civil,
Physical, etc.)
7. OWNFOR Why Purpose, Mission
7. OPFOR Why Purpose, Mission
5. Index Location Time
1. Interactions, Effects
OPFOR
BLUFOR

12
The Missions and Means FrameworkThe Process of
Synthesis
6. Context, Environment (Military, Civil,
Physical, etc.)
7. OWNFOR Why Purpose, Mission
7. OPFOR Why Purpose, Mission
5. Index Location Time
1. Interactions, Effects
OPFOR
BLUFOR

Synthesis
13
The Missions and Means FrameworkThe Process of
Employment
6. Context, Environment (Military, Civil,
Physical, etc.)
7. OWNFOR Why Purpose, Mission
7. OPFOR Why Purpose, Mission
5. Index Location Time
1. Interactions, Effects
OPFOR
BLUFOR

14
The Missions and Means FrameworkTransformational
Operators
Ox,xS
Synthesis
Ox,xE
Employment
15
The Missions and Means Framework
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Developing a Data Model for theMissions and
Means Framework

• Levels of Entity-Relationship Modeling
• Specifying Entities and Relationships and the
  Modeling Vision
• Parsing Core Definitions and Descriptions
• Key Relationships Within MMF Levels
• Driven by Assembly and Stocking Perspectives
• Key Relationships Between MMF Levels
• Driven by Processes of Synthesis and Employment
• Implemented through definitions of
  Transformational Operators
• Constructing the Composite Data Model

17
Levels of Entity-Relationship Modeling

• Conceptual Model the real world view and
  understanding
• Suppresses non-critical details to emphasize
  rules
• Only includes significant entities with
  operational meaning
• Identification of the highest-level relationships
  among entities
• Many-to-Many relationships are acceptable
• Logical Model a generalized formal structure
  following the rules of information science
• Conforms to relational theory
• All attributes and the primary/foreign keys for
  each entity are specified
• Contains only fully normalized entities
• All many-to-many relationships are resolved into
  associative entities
• Physical Model provides specifics on how model
  to be executed in a particular DBMS instance
• Specifies implementation details which may be
  features of a particular product
• Denormalization may occur based upon user
  requirements

18
Developing a Data Model for MMF

• Conceptual Model the real world view and
  understanding
• Suppresses non-critical details to emphasize
  rules
• Only includes significant entities with
  operational meaning
• Identification of the highest-level relationships
  among entities
• Many-to-Many relationships are acceptable
• Logical Model a generalized formal structure
  following the rules of information science
• Conforms to relational theory
• All attributes and the primary/foreign keys for
  each entity are specified
• Contains only fully normalized entities
• All many-to-many relationships are resolved into
  associative entities
• Physical Model provides specifics on how model
  to be executed in a particular DBMS instance
• Specifies implementation details which may be
  features of a particular product
• Denormalization may occur based upon user
  requirements

19
Specifying Entities and RelationshipsUsing IDEF1X

• ENTITY A collection or set of similar data
  instances that can be
• individually distinguished
  from one another.
• INSTANCE An individual member of the set
• ATTRIBUTE A descriptive property used to
  describe an individual member of the set
• RELATIONSHIP Connecting principle between
  individual
• members of the sets

verb phrase
Entity 1
Entity 4
verb phrase
verb phrase
Entity 2
Entity 3
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The MMF Modeling Vision
Physical
Logical
Training Overlay
Conceptual
Extension for Training
Extension for Systems Engineering
Military Operations Overlay
Systems Engineering Overlay
Extension for Military Operations
21
Developing the MMF Data ModelParsing the Source
Document to IdentifyKey Entities and
Relationships

• Entities created within each Level for both
  Stocking and Assembly perspectives
• Relationships between Entities at different
  levels created to describe
• Synthesis and Employment Operations (O3,4S,
  O1,2E, etc)
• Definitions of key concepts and terms

Extract from MMF Source Document Definitions of
Key Terms
Entity 1
Implied Relationship
Implied Relationship
Entity 2
Entity 2
Ox,xX
Level X
22
Assembly and Stocking PerspectivesLevels 5 -7
Assembly Perspective Entities
LOCATION/TIME
MISSION
ENVIRONMENT
is part of
is part of
is created from
comes from
LOCATION
TIME
PURPOSE
CONTEXT
lists
lists
INDEX
Level 7
Level 6
Level 5
Stocking Perspective Entities
23
Assembly and Stocking PerspectivesLevels 1-4
OPERATION
is organized from
Assembly Perspective Entities
Assembly Perspective Entity
TASK
Level 4
CAPABILITY
EFFECT
generates and organizes
specifies requirements of
FUNCTION
INTERACTION
Level 3
Level 1
FORCE
selects
Stocking Perspective Entities
Stocking Perspective Entity
COMPONENT
Level 2
24
Relationships from the Synthesis Process

• O3,4S is the inverse planning process the
  warfighter uses to determine the Functions,
  Capabilities required to complete Tasks,
  Operations. Mission analysis organizes Tasks
  into Operations packages to achieve measure of
  Mission outcome. Course of action development
  uses measures of performance to assign Capability
  packages to Operations

specifies and implies
MISSION
Level 7
is assigned to
OPERATION
is organized from
TASK
Level 4
CAPABILITY
specifies requirements of
O3,4S
FUNCTION
Level 3
25
Relationships from the Synthesis Process

• O2,3S is the inverse planning process used to
  select Components and define Forces to implement
  Functions and deliver Capabilities required in
  the Level-3 specifications.

CAPABILITY
FUNCTION
delivers
Level 3
FORCE
selects
implements
COMPONENT
O2,3S
Level 2
26
Relationships from the Synthesis Process

• O1,2S is the inverse planning process used to
  select Interactions to achieve state changes in
  Level-2 Components that will have the intended
  Effects on Level-2 Force packages.

EFFECT
generates and organizes
current condition is described by
INTERACTION
State the condition of a model entity at a
given time, specified by the value of its
attributes at that instant
FORCE
Level 1
changes
current condition is described by
STATE
COMPONENT
O1,2S
Level 2
27
Relationships from the Synthesis Process

• O4,1S is the inverse planning process used to
  identify Tasks that, if executed to standard,
  will generate Level-1 Effects that will lead to
  Mission accomplishment.

OPERATION
executes
TASK
Level 4
EFFECT
generates and organizes
O4,1S
INTERACTION
Level 1
28
Relationships from the Employment Process

• O1,2E is the forward execution and adjudication
  process that takes the actual Interaction
  conditions that Level-1 Effects packages deliver,
  and then determines Level-2 Component outcomes.

EFFECT
generates and organizes
current condition is described by
INTERACTION
State the condition of a model entity at a
given time, specified by the value of its
attributes at that instant
FORCE
Level 1
changes
current condition is described by
STATE
COMPONENT
O1,2E
Level 2
29
Relationships from the Employment Process

• O2,3E is the inverse planning process used to
  select Components and define Forces to implement
  Functions and deliver Capabilities required in
  the Level-3 specifications.

CAPABILITY
FUNCTION
delivers
Level 3
FORCE
selects
implements
COMPONENT
O2,3E
Level 2
30
Measures, Criteria, and StandardsReference CJCSM
3500.O4C (UJTL)

• Measures and Standards of Performance
• Measure a basis for comparison, a reference
  point against which other things can be evaluated
• Criterion definition of acceptable levels of
  performance, often expressed as a minimum
  acceptable level.
• Standard the association of a measure with a
  criterion

CRITERION
is specified by
STANDARD
is defined by
MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE (MoP)
31
Tasks, Functions, and CapabilitiesReference
CJCSM 3500.O4C (UJTL)

• Task a specific, outcome-centric, definable
  activity intended to achieve a specific purpose
  with specific and measurable results
• Function a task associated with a specific set
  of measures which evaluate its level of
  performance
• Capability the association of a function with a
  standard of performance in a mission context

is specified by
CAPABILITY
STANDARD
is defined by
is the core activity of
MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE (MoP)
is assessed by
FUNCTION
is the core activity of
TASK
32
Tasks, Functions, and Capabilities
Capability the association of a function with a
standard
Function a task associated with a specific set
of measures which evaluate its level of
performance
CRITERION
OPERATION
is specified by
is organized from
is specified by
STANDARD
TASK
is defined by
Level 4
CAPABILITY
MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE (MoP)
is the core activity of
Task a specific, outcome-centric, definable
activity intended to achieve a specific purpose
with specific and measurable results
is the core activity of
FUNCTION
is assessed by
Level 3
33
Tasks, Functions, and Capabilities

• O3,4E is the forward execution and adjudication
  that takes the actual performance that the
  specified Level-3 Capability delivered and then
  determines Level-4 Task outcomes

CRITERION
OPERATION
is assigned to
is specified by
is organized from
is specified by
STANDARD
TASK
is defined by
Level 4
CAPABILITY
MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE (MoP)
is the core activity of
is the core activity of
FUNCTION
is assessed by
O3,4E
Level 3
34
LOCATION/TIME
MISSION
ENVIRONMENT
is part of
is part of
is created from
comes from
LOCATION
TIME
Level 5
lists
lists
PURPOSE
CONTEXT
INDEX
Level 7
Level 6
Initial MMF Data Model Version 1.0
selects
specifies and implies
selects
OPERATION
selects and schedules
is assigned to
CRITERION
is organized from
is specified by
TASK
Level 3
is the core activity of
Level 4
CAPABILITY
EFFECT
STANDARD
is specified by
specifies requirements of
generates and organizes
is defined by
executes
delivers
FUNCTION
INTERACTION
MEASURE OF PERFORMANCE
Level 1
FORCE
current condition is described by
selects
changes
is assessed by
implements
STATE
COMPONENT
current condition is described by
Level 2
35
Common Semantics and SyntaxFormal Specification
Requirementsfor All Data Model Entities

• Formal definitions which are consistent or
  compatible with appropriate authoritative sources
• Identification of required data elements
  necessary for complete specification
• Preliminary step to the identification of
  necessary entity attributes for modeling at the
  logical level
• Identification of all associative relationships
  necessary for complete specification

36
Formalizing the MMF SpecificationSummary and
Conclusions

• The Missions and Means Framework is a structure
  for explicitly specifying the military mission
  and for quantitatively evaluating alternative
  courses of action
• Seven Levels of mission content and four
  transformational operators
• Processes of synthesis (top-down) and employment
  (bottom-up)
• Perspectives of stocking (pieces) and assembly
  (packages)
• Key entities in the proposed data model have been
  defined and related to one another by parsing the
  MMF conceptual description
• Certain entities, their definitions, and
  relationships can be more completely specified by
  reference to existing joint documents and
  guidance (e.g. UJTL)
• An initial proposal for formal specification
  requirements has been drawn from the definitions
  and relationships developed in the data model

37
Formalizing the MMF SpecificationThe Way Ahead

• The next steps in the maturity of the MMF formal
  specification process will include
• Development of attributes associated with each
  entity
• More complete documentation of common semantics
  and syntax
• Development of recommended practices guidance for
  future MMF applications
• Enriched and enhanced specification of the data
  model will more completely extend it beyond the
  conceptual level
• Formalizing the MMF Specification is the first
  step
• Making the process more standardized and
  repeatable
• Enabling the development of supporting tools for
  implementation

38
Questions and Comments
39
Additional Slides
40
Formal Specification Requirements Levels 5-7
MISSION

• the compositional purposes, tasks to be
  undertaken, the association with a specific level
  of war, and any relationships with other
  missions.
• intended outcome, any association with a
  specific level of war, realm (diplomatic,
  economic, or cultural), and any relationships
  with other purposes.
• all applicable conditions under which a mission
  is to be accomplished, and the way in which they
  affect any operation in its achievement of
  mission objectives.
• all applicable conditions or circumstances under
  which a mission is to be accomplished, and the
  way in which they affect task performance.
• all relevant locations and associated standard
  data points associated with a specific operation
  and the mission it pursues.
• all appropriate locations and times used for
  reference.

PURPOSE
Level 7
ENVIRONMENT
CONTEXT
Level 6
LOCATION/TIME
INDEX
Level 5
41
Formal Specification Requirements Levels 1-4
OPERATION

• complete hierarchical list of all tasks to be
  performed, any vertical or horizontal linkages
  between tasks, and all temporal and spatial
  relationships between tasks.
• concise statement of the core activity, its
  relationships to a specific level of war, and its
  relationship to a specific mission.

Level 4
TASK
CAPABILITY
EFFECT
the specific compositional function(s) which
define it, and the standard of performance with
which it is associated. the specific task
which serves as its core activity, and the
measure of performance with which it is
associated.
all entities experiencing a resultant change
and the state change that occurs the forces
involved, the effects generated, their
organization into packages and the model entities
affected
Level 1
Level 3
INTERACTION
FUNCTION
FORCE
the complete list of components and the set of
capabilities with which each is associated, the
operation with which the capabilities are
associated and the mission whose objectives are
being served. the unit designation, an
itemization of personnel/materiel inventories,
the functions with which it is associated and all
attributes of the states which describe it
Level 2
COMPONENT