1.3. Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)
JCIDS plays a key role in identifying the capabilities required by the warfighters to support the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the National Military Strategy. Successful delivery of those capabilities relies on the JCIDS process working in concert with other joint and DOD decision processes. JCIDS procedures support the Chairman and Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) in advising the Secretary of Defense on identifying and assessing joint military capability needs. JCIDS is a joint-concepts-centric capabilities identification process that allows joint forces to meet future military challenges. The JCIDS process assesses existing and proposed capabilities in light of their contribution to future joint concepts. The JCIDS process was created to support the statutory requirements of the JROC to validate joint warfighting requirements. JCIDS is also a key supporting process for the DOD acquisition and Planning, Programming, and Budget Execution (PPBE) processes. The primary objective of the JCIDS process is to ensure the capabilities required by the joint warfighter to successfully execute the missions assigned to them are identified with their associated operational performance criteria. This is done through an open process that provides the JROC the information they need to make decisions on required capabilities. The requirements process supports the acquisition process by providing validated capability needs and associated performance criteria to be used as a basis for acquiring the right weapon systems. Additionally, JCIDS provides the PPBE process with affordability advice supported by the capabilities-based assessment (CBA), and identifies capability gaps and potential materiel and non-materiel solutions. While it considers the full range of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF) solutions, for purposes of this Guidebook, the focus is on the pursuit of "materiel" solutions.
JCIDS acknowledges the need to project and sustain joint forces and to conduct flexible, distributed, and highly-networked operations. JCIDS is consistent with DoD Directive 5000.01 direction for early and continuous collaboration throughout the Department of Defense. JCIDS implements a capabilities-based approach that leverages the expertise of government agencies, industry, and academia. JCIDS encourages collaboration between operators and materiel providers early in the process. JCIDS defines interoperable, joint capabilities that will best meet the future needs. The broader DoD acquisition community must then deliver these technologically sound, sustainable, and affordable increments of militarily useful capability to the warfighters.
JCIDS informs the acquisition process by identifying and assessing joint military capability needs which need a materiel solution; these identified capability needs then serve as the basis for the development and production of acquisition programs. JCIDS is fully described in CJCS Instruction 3170.01, signed by the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This instruction establishes the policies for JCIDS, and provides a top-level description of the process. A supplementary on-line manual, the JCIDS Manual, provides the details necessary for the day-to-day work in identifying, describing, and justifying joint warfighting capabilities. The manual also includes the formats that describe the content required for each JCIDS document.
For major defense acquisition programs or major automated information systems subject to OSD oversight, the products of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System process directly support the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) in advising the Milestone Decision Authority for major milestone decisions. Figure 1.3.F1 is a simplified portrayal of the nature of this support. JCIDS provides similar support to other acquisition programs, regardless of the milestone decision authority. Where appropriate, the JCIDS process and its products may be tailored when applied to automated information systems.
Figure 1.3.F1. JCIDS and Defense Acquisition
Capabilities-Based Assessment User's Guide
Figure 1.3.F1 depicts several key points. First, JCIDS is based on a series of top-down analyses ultimately derived from formal strategic-level guidance, including the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, National Military Strategy and the Report of the Quadrennial Defense Review. Second, these analyses assess existing and proposed capabilities in terms of their contribution to emerging joint warfighting concepts. Moreover, rather than focusing on the capabilities of individual weapon systems in isolation, the analyses assess capabilities in the context of integrated architectures of multiple interoperable systems. Third, from these overarching concepts, the JCIDS analysis process identifies capability gaps or shortcomings, and assesses the risks associated with these gaps. These gaps may be addressed by a combination of materiel and/or non-materiel solutions (non-materiel solutions would be changes to doctrine, organization, training, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities). Fourth, recommended materiel solutions, once approved, lead to acquisition programs. JCIDS documents are provided for these programs at each acquisition milestone and guide the subsequent development, production, and testing of the program. Further information on Capabilities-Based Assessment, as well as the nature and role of the Initial Capabilities Document, Capability Development Document, and Capability Production Document can be found in the JCIDS Manual.
For Acquisition Category I and IA programs, and other programs designated as high-interest, the JROC reviews and validates all JCIDS documents under its purview. For Acquisition Category ID and IAM programs, the JROC makes recommendations to the DAB, based on such reviews. Section 181 of title 10, United States Code, establishes JROC responsibilities. The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairs the JROC, and is also a member of the DAB. The Vice Chiefs of each military service are members of the JROC. Section 841of the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act expanded the role of the combatant commanders (or when designated, their deputies) as members of the JROC on matters related to their area of responsibility or when functions of that command are being considered by the Council. The "Expanded JROC" staff brings together key stakeholders from across the department and Interagencies, when appropriate, to shape decisions in support of the Joint warfighter. These stakeholders provide advisory support to the JROC. This same Act specifically designated the following officials of the Department of Defense as civilian advisors:
- The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics)
- The Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)
- The Under Secretary of Defense (Policy)
- The Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation
- The Director of Operational Test and Evaluation
Related Link: Capabilities-Based Assessment User's Guide
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