Defense portfolio analysis

Abstract

This project paper provides a systematic decomposition and industrial comparison of the U.S. defense decisionsupport process methodologies of Portfolio Analysis (PA). Included are current methods, tools, and models for ranking and evaluating strategic alternatives and options. The PA decision-support process analyzed in the study is used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to allocate resources to satisfy national strategic goals. Our working premise is that an effective decision-support process provides data driven knowledge directly to relevant decision makers to meet all U.S. defense and national strategic requirements, including proper balance of costs, risks, and capabilities in both routine operational and tactical battle space scenarios. To conduct this evaluation (4) Program Management (PM) and 2 PA tools were researched with a view to modeling identifiable strategic requirements juxtaposed with technical, financial, and implementation factors to meet today's strategic capabilities requirements. What was learned is that together PA and PM tools used correctly provide useful tools for decision makers at all levels of government provided they are used correctly. While utilizing the modeling programs, experts in strategic and program analysis need to evaluate acquisition programs to rate the potential Estimated Military Value (EMV) in meeting the strategic needs of the United States.