Capability Development Document
Encyclopedia
A Capability Development Document (CDD) provides operational performance attributes, including supportability, for those responsible for the acquisition
of military equipment in the military of the United States
. It includes "key performance parameters" (KPPs) and other parameters that guide the development, demonstration, and testing of the current increment. It also outlines the overall strategy for developing full capability. The format for the CDD was formerly spelled out in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01. The most current version is only available online and requires a Common Access Card (CAC) card and an Intelink account. The link is https://www.intelink.gov/wiki/JCIDS_Manual
The description of system capabilities in a CDD follows the identification of operational needs in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). As the system described goes through its design and development phases, and is approved for production, the CDD is followed by a Capabilities Production Document. This is fundamentally the same document, but describes the system as it will be built, not just as it is planned.
The prescribed format of the CDD is:
Capability Discussion : Describes in general language what the capability is supposed to provide, and cites the relevant ICDs. Discusses the operating environment, and specifically the capability that is realized when doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF
) attributes are integrated.
Analysis Summary : A discussion of the objectives of the capability, as well as what respective DOTMLPF attributes are needed.
Concept of Operations Summary : Describes how the capability is intended to be used; may contain wording.
Threat Summary : Summarizes any projected threats to the capability, including the nature, tactics, capabilities, etc. of the threat.
Program Summary : Describes the capability acquisition strategy and the relationship of the capability to precursor or follow-on systems.
Key Performance Parameters : The bulk of the CDD. Lists each required measure of effectiveness in an objective, measurable, testable way. Lists both "Threshold" (i.e., required) and "Objective" (i.e., desired) performance values.
Military acquisition
Military acquisition is the bureaucratic management and procurement process dealing with a nation's investments in the technologies, programs, and product support necessary to achieve its national security strategy and support its armed forces...
of military equipment in the military of the United States
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
. It includes "key performance parameters" (KPPs) and other parameters that guide the development, demonstration, and testing of the current increment. It also outlines the overall strategy for developing full capability. The format for the CDD was formerly spelled out in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01. The most current version is only available online and requires a Common Access Card (CAC) card and an Intelink account. The link is https://www.intelink.gov/wiki/JCIDS_Manual
The description of system capabilities in a CDD follows the identification of operational needs in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). As the system described goes through its design and development phases, and is approved for production, the CDD is followed by a Capabilities Production Document. This is fundamentally the same document, but describes the system as it will be built, not just as it is planned.
Contents
In the words of CJCSM 3170.01, the CDD is "the sponsor’s primary means of defining authoritative, measurable, and testable capabilities needed by the warfighters to support the SDD [System Design and Definition] phase of an acquisition program."The prescribed format of the CDD is:
Capability Discussion : Describes in general language what the capability is supposed to provide, and cites the relevant ICDs. Discusses the operating environment, and specifically the capability that is realized when doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF
DOTMLPF
DOTMLPF is an acronym used by the United States Department of Defense. DOTMLPF is defined in the The Joint Capabilities Integration Development System, or JCIDS Process. The JCIDS process provides a solution space that considers solutions involving any combination of doctrine, organization,...
) attributes are integrated.
Analysis Summary : A discussion of the objectives of the capability, as well as what respective DOTMLPF attributes are needed.
Concept of Operations Summary : Describes how the capability is intended to be used; may contain wording.
Threat Summary : Summarizes any projected threats to the capability, including the nature, tactics, capabilities, etc. of the threat.
Program Summary : Describes the capability acquisition strategy and the relationship of the capability to precursor or follow-on systems.
Key Performance Parameters : The bulk of the CDD. Lists each required measure of effectiveness in an objective, measurable, testable way. Lists both "Threshold" (i.e., required) and "Objective" (i.e., desired) performance values.