Measures of Effectiveness for Live, Virtual, Constructive, Integrated Architectures

The Department of Defense (DoD) strives to improve Live, Virtual, and Constructive Integrated Architectures (LVCIA) with the objective to assemble models and simulations (M&S) that create representations of a credible operating environment. Changes in the operating environment and the needs of the warfighter require a continued focus on developing corporate and cross-cutting business practices which improve visibility; accessibility; commonality; reuse and interoperability of M&S tools; and data and services. A robust M&S capability enables the Department to meet operational and support objectives across the diverse activities of the services, combatant commands, and agencies more effectively. The ability to determine the success of the strategic vision for DoD. M&S depends on the ability to identify those measures that capture the attributes that empower DoD with M&S capabilities which effectively and efficiently support the full spectrum of the Department’s activities and operations. This paper examines the current gaps in an M&S LVCIA and what is required to enable an effective LVCIA. It does so by examining the interaction between people, processes and technologies in the DoD M&S community. The needs and objectives of the LVCIA are readily available and there are many successes using LVCIA in training and testing. It has not been as successful in acquisition, analysis, experimentation and other communities. By examining architectural software patterns, software paradigms and ongoing interoperability standards, this paper identifies those measures that provide a better understanding of the M&S enablers. These measures of effectiveness will guide the M&S communities to satisfy the current needs of the LVCIA community.