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Operational & Organizational Effectiveness

MSI has provided planning and analysis support to multiple clients to produce strategic business plans, assessment strategies, and projection tools as part of an integrated business process improvement methodology, including:

• Department of Homeland Security (DHS, Office of the CFO) Fleet Studies – MSI supported DHS in the conduct of a Multi-Mission Cutter Fleet Study (CFS) and Aviation Fleet Study (AFS) that provided senior leadership with a rigorous and comprehensively developed business case analysis of multiple discrete fleet mixes.  Customer:  Department of Homeland Security
• Cutter Fleet Study. – Various alternatives were reviewed to provide insights into the impact on operational effectiveness based on varying acquisition strategies.  These notional fleet mixes varied in quantity of assets and were designed based on projected mission demands and budget realities.  An integral aspect of the study included development of a comprehensive Operating Area (OPAREA) Analysis regarding the use and application of major cutter types.  This analysis described the 27 OPAREAs where the Coast Guard uses major cutters to perform proactive missions (e.g., LMR, AMIO, and Drug Enforcement).  Environmental and mission demand capability drivers assessed in these geographic OPAREAs included:  Environmental Capability Drivers ( e.g. significant wave height and distance to OPAREAs) and Mission Demand Capability Drivers (e.g. DOD overseas support).
• Aviation Fleet Study. – This study examined the impact of capability variation in aviation forces on overall Coast Guard mission performance, using the 2014 aviation fleet as a baseline, the completed Program of Record (POR) as an upper bound, and intermediate fleets that represent partial or alternative achievement of the POR.
• Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) Implementation Team. – This high-profile project had the attention of all senior leadership in the Coast Guard and was reported to DHS as the Coast Guard’s leading priority.  This effort includes providing support to Coast Guard subject matter experts in implementing recommendations from the DSF Stem-to-Stern Review and development of chartered deliverables and other work products related to this initiative including reallocation of DSF personnel.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard 
• Offshore Capability (Deepwater) Modeling & Simulation Master Plan (MSMP) and Modeled Concept of Operations (CONOPS). – MSI developed the original versions and subsequent updates of the MSMP and associated Modeled CONOPS. The MSMP is the specification for the modeled capability, demands, and associated operating environment and provides the analytical framework used to assess operational effectiveness of Coast Guard capability, primarily in the Offshore operational area. The Modeled CONOPS is the translation of the operational requirements to be used as the specification for implementation in M&S applications. The Modeled CONOPS is intended to generally reflect the application of operational principles and policies used in current Coast Guard operations with designated assets.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard 
• The MSMP and Modeled CONOPS V3.0, updating V2.1, were completed in June of 2012 and are expected to be used to develop V3.0 of the CGMOES.
• The MSMP and Modeled CONOPS V2.1, updating V2.0, were completed in April of 2008 and were used to develop V2.1 of the CGMOES.
• The MSMP and Modeled CONOPS V2.0, updating V1.0, were completed in July of 2003 and were used to update V2.0 of the CGMOES.
• The MSMP and Modeled CONOPS V1.0 were completed in September of 1998 and were used to develop V1.0 of the Deepwater Maritime Operational Effectiveness Simulation (DMOES).
• Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) Stem-to-Stern Review. – This review of the effectiveness of DSF and ability to retain proficiency involved hundreds of high-ranking Coast Guard subject matter experts and analyzed all areas, including resources, force management, operations, training, requirements, and organizational structure.  Effort included development of many products in a very short time frame, including resource management documents in support of a full analysis of the effectiveness of over 1,300 DSF personnel in performing their mission and sustaining proficiency.  The analysis resulted in a collection of recommendations to improve the entire DSF program.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Force Reorganization. – Facilitated workshops and developed detailed Courses of Action (COAs) to align present-day MSST and advanced interdiction (AI) capabilities in a regional construct to gain efficiencies in command and control, training sustainment, and overhead costs.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Cost Analysis. – This modeling and simulation effort compared the operational cost of the Navy-designed LCS with the Coast Guard Patrol Frigate.  Modeled scenarios were developed and the operating costs to carry out the missions for each class of vessel were analyzed.  Dependent on mission and LCS outfitting, it was found the Patrol Frigate was more cost-effective in the majority of the scenarios.  Customer: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Western Hemisphere Transit Zone (WHTZ) Performance Gap Analysis. – The United States Interdiction Coordinator (USIC) directed The Interdiction Committee (TIC) to conduct a Performance Gap Analysis (PGA) in the Western Hemisphere Transit Zone (WHTZ) to analyze the operational capability and capacity gap between current performance and that required to achieve the national goal.  MSI supported TIC by facilitating a working group, consisting of more than 70 subject matter experts from across the interagency, and developed a rigorous, analytical approach to identify capability, capacity, and performance gaps.  Key assumptions and limitations were established to inform the process and determine required outputs.  MSI provided a common operational framework that included a Critical Chain Model and CGMOES as a means f or organizing the various processes and information to enable common understanding and requirements.  MSI was presented with the 2010 USIC Award for “Superior Performance” and was cited for its “consummate professionalism and relentless, methodical pursuit of the objectives of the study which have resulted in the development of recommendations that will form a sound basis for Transit Zone resource requirements and interdiction agency budget requests for years to come.”  Customer:  The Interdiction Committee
• Coast Guard Modernization. – Provides planning, facilitation, and analytical support for the Coast Guard Modernization, including organizational design, alignment, change management, measurement, and information system management.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard 
• Coast Guard Management Blueprint (CGMB). – Provides an overall framework for planning and decision-making support that identifies essential initiatives and systems and an implementation plan.  Developed in conjunction with the Coast Guard Office of Performance Management and Decision Support (G-CPD).  The CGMB is a set of management methods and management tools that collectively contribute to minimizing public risk, maximizing readiness, and promote responsible stewardship of resources according to a coherent and authoritative management framework.  Primary designer of the Unified Performance Logic Model (UPLM), which provides a framework for the relationships between resources, Coast Guard activities, and the goals they intend to achieve.  The conceptual model links the strategic goals to support goals by way of capability and readiness measures with the purpose of aligning support activities with operational activities.  The UPLM serves as the central alignment framework for the CGMB.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Institutional Research (INRE) Support. – Provided support to Guidance Team and Working Group chartered by the Chief of Staff to investigate ongoing Institutional Research (INRE) initiatives within the Coast Guard.  Investigation included making recommendations on multiple INRE initiatives value, contribution, and “implementability.”  The Working Group identified and considered more than 50 candidate initiatives within the Coast Guard.  Developed a “road map” report that clearly identified executable segments, sequencing, and priorities.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Comprehensive Measurement Policy Manual. – Developed manual that describes the measurement system in the Coast Guard and is designed to be the authoritative source for all Coast Guard measurement policy.  The manual was developed through research of measurement best practices of other federal, state, international, and industry organizations.  The phrase “measurement system” is used to describe the overall management practice of performance measurement in the Coast Guard.  The document prescribes the framework, authoritative tools, and lexicon and established a foundation for performance measurement policy in the Coast Guard.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Coast Guard Operational Concepts. – MSI has supported development of several Coast Guard operational concepts.  These documents describe how the Coast Guard performs missions and uses its capability to perform missions.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Capstone Concept for Coast Guard Capability. – Supported development of the Capstone Concept for Coast Guard Capability, which describes how the Coast Guard employs its capability, at the service level and across all missions, to address the broad array of current and future challenges.  This translational concept bridges the high-level Coast Guard strategic documents such as Evergreen and Publication 1 with the collection of Coast Guard strategy, plans, and policy.  The Capstone Concept provides a framework that will guide the Coast Guard’s operational posture and related mission support elements and frame recapitalization efforts.  The Capstone Concept describes the fundamental concepts through which the Coast Guard implements operational policy and doctrine. Facilitated stakeholder workshops and configuration of the document as it was developed. 
• Global Concept of Operations (GCONOPS). – During FY07 MSI developed the Global Concept of Operations (GCONOPS), which provided the overarching guidance for the employment of present and future capabilities.  The GCONOPS described in broad terms how the Coast Guard will plan, allocate resources to, and execute operations across the full range of maritime missions through 2020.  The CGONOPS operationalizes Coast Guard 2020 and the Integrated Deepwater System (IDS) concept and the logistics required to support effective operations.  
• Coast Guard Standard Operational Planning (SOPP)/Global Force Management (GFM). – MSI supported development of the SOPP – a systematic, standardized operational planning process that uses operational assessments to develop and communicate direction, priorities, and resource apportionment throughout the chain of command.  SOPP/GFM provides the planning mechanism to operationally align Sectors, Districts, Areas, FORCECOM, DCO, and the Mission Support Organization while preserving the Coast Guard’s operational principle of on-scene initiative.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard 
• Supported development of the prototype Coast Guard Standard Operational Planning Process (SOPP) in D1 and D11 during FY07. 
• Using lessons learned during prototype development, MSI supported implementation of the SOPP service-wide during FY08. 
• During FY09, MSI help integrate SOPP and the GFM process so that it addresses both annual internal Coast Guard resource apportionment and out-year DOD and other agency requests for forces.
• Operational and Organizational Effectiveness Studies using Modeling and Simulation. – MSI developed the Deepwater Maritime Operational Effectiveness Simulation (DMOES) and Coast Guard Maritime Operational Effectiveness Simulation (CGMOES) for the U.S. Coast Guard.  These tools were developed to model the performance and operational effectiveness of Coast Guard and other maritime assets in various configurations, operational environments, and operational concepts.
• Coast Guard Fleet Mix Analyses. – Provided maritime requirements and capability development and validation to establish baselines for future operational capabilities and budget requirements for the Coast Guard.  This effort used CGMOESand includes development of Mission Performance Plans for all Coast Guard missions, projections of capability requirements and operational effectiveness assessments of alternative fleet mixes of cutters, aircraft, C4ISR and logistics.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• DHS (Office of the CFO) Fleet Studies. – These comparative assessments of operational effectiveness for alternative aviation and surface fleet mixes involved varying the major cutter (NSCs and OPCs) fleet and aviation fleet composition.  Effort included supporting DHS CFO in conducting studies that provided senior leadership with a rigorous and comprehensively developed business case analysis of multiple discrete fleet mixes.  The CGMOES was used to project the operational effectiveness achieved by the system of assets and capabilities.  Customer:  Department of Homeland Security, Office of the CFO
• Telecommunications Policy Development. – Conducted an accelerated review and update of USDA executive-level telecommunication policy and creation of a modular framework for publishing telecommunications procedures.  The policy needed to address current telecommunications challenges and anticipate issues associated with emerging technologies.  The policy, along with the modular framework, served as a model for USDA sub-agencies and staff offices to create their own guidance in alignment with the executive level policy.  MSI was called upon to recover from a significantly tardy development effort.  Original product development schedules were quickly regained.  The policy was delivered ahead of schedule after being thoroughly reviewed and vetted through key stakeholders.  Customer:  U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Joint Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Quick Reaction Test (QRT). – Provided subject matter experts to develop the CONOPS and TTP for Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Handbook.  Supported exercise planning team and control group for Alaska Shield 2010, a national-level exercise.  Testing of the handbook was conducted at Alaska Shield (full-scale exercise), Marine Corps Installations West (MCIWEST) Golden Guardian 2010 (full-scale exercise).  Facilitated tabletop exercises to test the handbook.  Validated QRT requirements, developed the handbook, and tested the handbook leading to a successful QRT.  Customer:  Office of the Secretary of Defense
• Resource Planning and Integration Team (RPAIT) Integration Subteam Report. – Provided support for the RPAIT Integration Subteam Report.  The report summarized the subteam’s approach, documented results, and recommended a plan for an enterprise-wide resource organization to support mission execution in a modernized Coast Guard.  A notional “To Be” organization construct for CG-2, CG-8, DCO, DCMS, FORCECOM, and OPCOM was provided.  The report provided a recommended approach for management of Allotment Fund Codes (AFCs); a proposed reduction in the number of and structure of Administrative Target Units (ATUs); and the composition, roles, and responsibilities of the Resource Group.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Risk Based Decision Making (RBDM) Budget Build for FY08. – Supported a Risk Based Decision Making (RBDM) process for the FY08 budget build.  Used the 2004 National Maritime Strategic Risk Assessment (NMSRA) as a starting point against which to measure impacts of potential funding reductions in the Ports, Waterways and Coastal Security (PWCS) mission.  The resulting FY08 Budget was an integrated package of reinvestment and investment options that enabled the Coast Guard to better achieve mission goals in a more cost-effective manner.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Technical and Administrative Support Services for Operations Policy and Port Security Directorates. – Provided strategic planning, operations analysis, and workshop facilitation support to the Office of Policy and Planning Integration (CG-513).  Support included participation in planning and development workshops, refinement of the Countering Maritime Terrorism (CMT) Risk Map/Profile, refinement of the CMT Operational Activity Suite, and development of CMT Resource Requirements with supporting Implementation Plan and Measurement Plan.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Contractor Metrics Review Support Services. – Provided continuing support to the Office of Performance Management and Decision Support to advance performance measurement efforts in the Coast Guard.  Support included analyzing existing populated measure definitions, development of business rules for measures definition, review of newly proposed measures, and the development of a measures review process for future Coast Guard measures development efforts.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Operations Analysis Simulation Information Support (OASIS) Program Analysis and Modeling Support Services. – The OASIS Program focused on operations analysis and modeling and simulation.  The contract covered every Coast Guard mission area, a variety of sponsoring organizations, and a wide variety of functional areas within the broad category of Coast Guard research and development and or Coast Guard operations.  The contract addressed system performance and effectiveness, supply and demand forecasts, user needs/wants analyses, impact analysis, socioeconomic analysis, policy and regulatory development, strategic planning, operations and maintenance assessment, risk assessments, capital investment needs, infrastructure and equipment management, metrics development, and critical technologies planning and evaluation.  Functional areas of operations analysis support included: Analysis of Specific Systems or Technologies; Analysis of Human Factors; Mission/Engagement Level Analysis; Campaign, Resource Allocation, and Force Planning Analysis; and Operations Analysis Support Tool Development.
• Survivability of Mariners MISLE Analysis. – The U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center issued an OASIS task to extract and provide information suitable for development of the decision tools for the Coast Guard from Search and Rescue (SAR) cases in the Coast Guard Marine Information for the Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE) database.  MSI developed the logic to mine data from the MISLE database and analyze the results.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Unified Performance Logic Model (UPLM) Development. – Developed the UPLM for the Office of Planning and Performance (CG-81).  The UPLM is a “cognitive” mapping tool that captures the relationships between implementing capabilities, functional requirements, activities, outputs, and goals/outcomes achieved.  The model clarifies the relationship between operational performance (risk management) and support (readiness management).  UPLM has both descriptive and prescriptive applications to facilitate and support causal analysis and organizational and performance metrics alignment and features a standardized, disciplined planning and management lexicon.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Search and Rescue (SAR) Process Performance Gap Analysis and Technology Road Map. – Developed a methodology to identify and categorize performance gaps in the Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue (SAR) process to support planning a road map for future technological initiatives.  The modified methodology was applied to historical data collected in the 17th Coast Guard district and then to historical data extracted from the MISLE database for the entire Coast Guard.  A performance gap analysis was performed to identify causative factors for SAR performance gaps.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Cutter Homeport Analysis Process. – Designed, developed, and implemented an enhanced process for making cutter homeport decisions.  Incorporates a graphical user interface to help Coast Guard Planners make critical homeport decisions that account for all relevant factors, including environment, personnel, morale, operational effectiveness, and dollars.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard R&DC
• Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) Operational Analyses. – SWATH ships and a variant called Sea Slice are advanced hull forms that are inherently stable in high sea states and relatively fast compared to traditional monohull seagoing vessels.  MSI has completed several operational analyses involving the feasibility of employing SWATH/Sea Slice technology for various applications, including:
• Replacing aging monohull vessels currently used to conduct oceanographic research in ice or high sea states typically encountered in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Augmenting Japanese defensive naval forces to enable rapid response to maritime threats.
• Replacing monohull vessels currently used in logistics support operations for the offshore oil and gas industry in Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Fast ferry operations in Rio de Janeiro, which typically experiences relatively adverse weather conditions.
• Replacing monohull vessels currently used to transport pilots for further transfer to merchant ships in the North Sea and Scheldt River, Netherlands.
• Operational analyses were conducted to assess current operations and determine the feasibility of using SWATH/Sea Slice technology to improve efficiency of operations and reduce costs.
Customer: Lockheed Martin Ship Systems
• Analytical and Program Support. – MSI has provided a broad range of analytical and program support.  Facilitated development of several strategic, operational, and implementation plans for the Coast Guard and other clients.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard
• Marine Protected Species Program Description. – Developed description of overall Coast Guard Marine Protected Species mission, including goals, objectives, performance targets, initiatives and measures of effectiveness (MOEs).
• Law Enforcement Planning & Assessment System. – Supported comprehensive analysis, development, and support of ongoing planning and assessment system efforts for overall Coast Guard Law Enforcement Mission, including goals, objectives, performance targets, initiatives, and MOEs.
• Law Enforcement Asset Needs (LEAN) Projection. – Developed, validated, and refined computer implementation methodology to project law enforcement asset needs based on threats, enforcement requirements, and program standards.
• Coast Guard Coastal Zone Mission Analysis (CZMA) Technical Support. – Provided comprehensive analysis of Coast Guard mission requirements, assessment of statutory mandates, development of Waterways User Profiles, and identification of capability shortfalls. Assessed emerging, developmental, and alternative technologies that may improve Coast Guard mission performance in the Coastal Zone.  Results will be used to identify technology solutions that address potential gaps in the Coast Guard’s ability to perform its Coastal Zone missions.
• Operations Research & Analysis and Decision Support Systems. – Provided multi-year support for operations research, modeling, analysis, and decision support services for RDT&E, mission analysis, and planning problems.  
• Commandant’s Strategy for Fisheries Law Enforcement (FISHPLAN). – Analyzed the Fisheries Law Enforcement mission for 10 years, including development of an enforcement asset projection model.
• Coast Guard Yard Business Analysis. – Analyzed strategic business mission and goals, business process, object-oriented analysis, and development of overall information system architecture.  
• Coast Guard Fisheries Law Enforcement Asset Projection Model (FISHMODL). – Implemented Coast Guard Fisheries Enforcement Asset Projection model for field use.
• Global Market Assessment for Marine Environmental Monitoring Systems. – Developed market assessment to provide insights into market potentials for New England marine environmental companies to use in strategic business planning.  Customer:  Rhode Island Port Authority
• Navigation Safety Information System. – Developed requirements to assess the user needs, wants, and requirements for a new Coast Guard navigation safety information prototype capable of exchanging navigation safety information effectively and efficiently with all users.  Work includes development of demonstration scenarios and facilitated meetings with major users of Coast Guard Navigation Safety Information to fine-tune user needs, wants, and requirements, which will lead to input for a prototype design for Stage 3.  Customer:  U.S. Coast Guard