THE CAPABILITIES-BASED PLANNING PROCESS

Nowadays, the true face of our next adversary or the exact method of engagement is yet unknown. The threat may come from terrorists, but it could come in form of cyber warfare, a traditional conflict or a new form of attack. A world of uncertain threats requires agile partners and organizations with a portfolio of capabilities to draw from. CBP is a systematic approach to force development that aims to advise on the most appropriate force options to meet government priorities. CBP intends to manage risks, set specific preparedness goals and priorities, make investment choices and evaluate preparedness results. CBP uses intelligence, strategic studies and experiences to describe potential future threats and specific event or longer-term scenarios. The scenarios are used to define specific capabilities through an analytical framework starting with mission objectives and measures of strategic and operational success and ending with an assessment of options on factors such as risk. It starts by asking questions regarding what do we need to do rather than what equipment are we replacing. A link between strategy and programs, operational planning and force planning is needed. In this context, CBP could generate flexible, robust forces that offer capabilities to meet a wide variety of threats. Such a complex process could provide a rational basis for making decisions on future acquisitions and it could make planning more responsive to economic constraints and risk. The force options developed should meet strategic objectives, minimize cost and risk and comply with other constraints.