The JCIDS Process

Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) Documents

The requirements process known as Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) has now been in use for 6 years.  The Department of Defense (DoD) is continually updating the rules by which it identifies, develops and fields the capabilities needed by our military forces.  The JCIDS process articulated and promulgated in Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 3170.01 and the Manual for the Operation of the JCIDS is complex and time consuming, and requires programs in DoD to be in compliance.

Read more about WBB's JCIDS capabilities:

• JCIDS Overview
• Documents
• Products

JCIDS Overview

Future warfighter needs are addressed within JCIDS through a deliberate and analytical Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA) process and formally articulated in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and/or a DOTMLPF [Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities] Change Recommendation (DCR).   Analyses conducted in the CBA are:

• Capability Needs Analysis: The Mission Area, Military Problem & Required Capabilities are mapped to overarching strategic guidance and Joint Capability Areas, developed, and analyzed, under a defined set of operating conditions. Specific tasks and associated standards are confirmed or developed to measure the ability of the joint force to meet its assigned missions. An important element is identifying the appropriate Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that drives the analysis.
• Capability Gap Analysis: The Assessment of How Well an Organization Meets Identified Needs and Associated Risks evaluates current and programmed capabilities and identifies the gaps/risks in capability based on the tasks, conditions and standards defined earlier.
• Non-Materiel Solutions Analysis: The Assessment of Non-Materiel Solutions and Identification of Materiel Solutions analyzes potential non-materiel solutions and identifies materiel approaches (Note: specific materiel solutions are no longer addressed in the JCIDS CBA process) to mitigating the capability gaps.

The Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) articulates a capability gap or set of capability gaps identified in the CBA for a specific timeframe.  It summarizes the analysis and identifies any changes in policy, doctrine, organization, training, personnel, or facilities that were considered to satisfy the deficiency.  It identifies any particular non-materiel solutions that may address identified deficiencies and it recommends materiel approaches (e.g., evolutionary upgrades to existing systems) that should be considered in order to mitigate identified capability gaps.  The ICD supports the new DoD 5000.02 directed Materiel Development Decision (MDD) as well as the Analysis of Alternatives and is the foundation for future capabilities documents required by the acquisition system for developing and delivering capabilities to the warfighter.

Solutions to warfighter requirements are defined in the form of DOTMLPF Change Recommendations (DCR), Capability Development Documents (CDD), and Capability Production Documents (CPD).

The DCR identifies potential non-materiel ways to mitigate identified capability gaps where these changes are outside the scope or oversight of the acquisition community.  Elements within the scope of a DCR are: Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel (non-developmental), Leadership and education, Personnel, and Facilities.

The CDD provides a means of defining authoritative, measurable, and testable capabilities to support the system development phase of a materiel solution by the acquisition community.

The CPD provides the information necessary to support production, testing and deployment of an affordable and supportable materiel solution by the acquisition community.

Documents

WBB cultivated an early mastery of JCIDS and understands the processes and organizations that govern the execution of this continually evolving approach to establishing capabilities and requirements.

WBB has supported over 150 documents from all four Services and the Joint Staff within DoD’s capabilities-based JCIDS process, including:

WBB represented the Navy as a participating member of the Joint Staff sponsored Joint Undersea Superiority Study (JUSS) and Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA) and led the development of the Joint Integrating Concept (JIC) for SeaBasing.  A more detailed listing of WBB developed JCIDS documents can be found at JCIDS Document Products.

Products

Our JCIDS product line includes, but is not limited to:

• Education: Tailored CJCSI 3170/JCIDS Requirements & Acquisition training courses
• Process: Developing a Requirements Management Processor providing more "hands-on" assistance in navigating the current and changing policies using traceability tools such as the Dynamic Object Oriented Requirements System (DOORS) to trace program requirements throughout the program lifecycle.
• Products: Writing, editing, and staffing of DOTMLPF Change Recommendations (DCR), Initial Capabilities Documents (ICD), Capability Development Documents (CDD), Capability Production Documents (CPD), Concepts, Analyses, Capabilities Based Assessments (CBA), Roadmaps, Information Support Plans (ISP), Net-Ready Key Performance Parameter (KPP) and supporting DODAF architectures, and formal briefings for Milestone Decision Authorities and Joint and Service Requirements Oversight Boards.
• Turnkey Solutions: Total requirements management support for a program - from capability analysis and performance attribute definition, to document development and staffing assistance.

Please feel free to contact us for additional information about the JCIDS process and document development at: 703-448-6081 ext. 0