Understanding the global special operations network's value to counterterrorism: a balanced scorecard approach

Abstract

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has placed great importance on working by, with and through partners during the Global War on Terrorism. Grand strategies such as Line of Operation #2: Expand the Global SOF Network and the millions of dollars allocated to security force assistance are evidence of this emphasis. We develop and present a model to measure the value of the Global Special Forces Operation Network to counterterrorism operations. This model translates the strategy into clear objectives at the operational and tactical level. The model is based on a performance measurement tool for strategy implementation widely accepted in the private sector called the Balanced Scorecard. We introduce the natural unit of policy options created as a measure. This non-financial measure is a modification the traditional balanced scorecard and supports use by USSOCOM elements in the Global War on Terrorism. We argue that implementation of the model presented in this paper could enhance operational assessment and resource allocation decision-making by enabling assessment of the health of U.S. policy options in a region and identifying USSOCOM activities that can positively influence the quality and the quantity of those options.