Concept of operations

About: Concept of operations is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 964 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6845 citations. The topic is also known as: CONOPS.

Concept of operations for test cost analytics in complex manufacturing environments

Abstract: Manufacturing cost (assembly, test, and rework) necessarily comprises a significant portion of overall system cost in complex engineering and manufacturing environments. Test cost alone can represent 30% of overall cost. Recognizing that both business growth and competitive advantage increase with reduced cost, a question becomes how to organize systems, processes, and personnel effectively to reduce cost. This paper describes the concept of operations used to organize one analytics group in the Engineering Systems Test directorate of Raytheon Missile Systems specifically to achieve the goal of reducing test cost for its complex high-mix low-volume manufacturing environment. The group has been in operation for over 18 months, and the paper provides a concrete example of how organizations can consider deploying analytic resources to achieve specific goals. This paper — and the group and applications it describes — represents one point on a spectrum of possibilities for organizations to increase their test-related analytics bandwidth, and the paper includes enough detail so the approach can be appropriately scrutinized as a model.

Reframing Stability Operations: Using Social Science to Identify Pillars of Stability Operations to Bridge the Gap Between the Principles of Joint Operations and Stability Operations Framework

Abstract: : Recent Government and Department of Defense publications designate stability operations as a core military mission, leading to its parity amongst other more traditional military missions along the spectrum of armed conflict. However, doctrine fails to account for the constructive nature of stability operations when compared to the destructive nature of the offense or defense. While both FM 3-07 Stability Operations and the new joint Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute and United States Institute for Peace's Guiding Principles for Stability and Reconstruction provide frameworks for the conduct of stability operations, there exists an institutional difficulty in achieving operational success. This leads one to question whether the proposed frameworks are correct, and if they can be improved upon. The problem lies in 2001, with the combining of the MOOTW Principles and the Principles of War. While this accounted for many common efforts and eventually led to the emergence of the Full Spectrum Operations concept, doing so erased parameters that provided unique guidance to the conduct of stability operations. This thesis addresses this doctrinal gap through social science by identifying what needs all people have, Drivers of Instability, and how stable societies adapt to ensure needs are met and avoid unstable behavior. It then critiques examples of need-fulfillment interventions, and the reasons behind their success. This analysis deduces certain Pillars, rooted in social science and validated against historical examples, which govern the unique conduct of stability operations. These Pillars of Stability Operations provide a theoretical basis that nests in the Principles of Joint Operations and complements the existing frameworks in FM 3-07 and Guiding Principles, making the execution of stability operations more efficient and effective.