Theses
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Publication ASSISTED MICROGRID PLANNING SYSTEM (AMPS)(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2024-09) Bowman, Whitley; Christophersen, James A.; Geddes, James A.; Gregory, Allison A.; Wyngaard, Gerald T.; Oriti, Giovanna; Van Bossuyt, Douglas L.; Systems Engineering (SE); Giachetti, Ronald E.The Assisted Microgrid Planning System (AMPS) capstone project develops a prototype Microsoft Excel-based tool using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to generate viable microgrid architectures of commercial off the shelf (COTS) components. This project supports the Department of Defense’s (DoD) strategic interest in enhancing energy security, reducing dependence on regional energy providers, and lowering operational costs by utilizing renewable energy sources. The AMPS prototype tool refines and populates an existing COTS database and interfaces with the Naval Postgraduate School’s Microgrid Planner (NMP) to validate that specific microgrid designs can meet user load requirements. The AMPS software tool is a user-friendly, accurate prototype tool that enables the rapid configuration and analysis of resilient microgrids. The project addresses current limitations in microgrid design by expanding the existing NMP database to inform microgrid architectures and ensuring component compatibility. In the future, AMPS will be integrated into the existing NMP. AMPS will aid engineers in designing microgrids capable of meeting critical energy demands and propel the DoD’s capability in autonomous microgrid deployment.Publication U.S.–INDONESIA MARITIME SECURITY COOPERATION: EXERCISE CARAT, 2018–2024(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2024-09) Yuson, Jordan P.; Malley, Michael S.; National Security Affairs (NSA); Mabry, Tristan J.U.S.–China competition has led to the United States to pivot its interests to the Indo-Pacific and a change in policy that emphasizes U.S. security cooperation with its allies and partners. This thesis evaluates U.S. naval security cooperation efforts with Indonesia and determines its impact on enhancing capability and interoperability. By analyzing U.S.–Indonesia Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises from 2018 to 2024, it is determined that capability and interoperability have increased. Over this period, the size and scope of CARAT exercises have steadily expanded, becoming more complex and robust with the introduction of new technology and integration of forces. The Indo-Pacific is a dynamic region and results from this analysis can provide the United States with valuable insight into the status of U.S. interests, U.S.–Indonesia security cooperation, and the regional security environment.Publication SCENARIO-ROBUST ROUTE PLANNING WITH NETWORK RECONSTITUTION(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2024-09) Yee, Zong Yew; Craparo, Emily M.; Operations Research (OR); Carlyle, W. MatthewMilitary route planning through a road network that is defended with obstacles is a complex and time intensive process which requires planners to consider a multitude of factors, including time and asset allocation. As operations continue to increase in both tempo and dynamicity, it is becoming increasingly difficult for planners to keep up with intuition and manual calculations. With the fog of war resulting in imperfect information, planners often have to postulate the various scenarios that the enemy can adopt to deploy tactical obstacles. This poses an additional dilemma, as the optimal solution to one scenario may be suboptimal for another. We formulate a scenario-robust route planning and network reconstitution model (SRRPNRM) that allows for node improvements. These node improvements represent the actions of engineering assets that are used to clear tactical obstacles in the road network. We then apply SRRPNRM to a network with two hypothetical scenarios to identify the value of the model by comparing the result of SRRPNRM with the expected value solution. The results show that the SRRPNRM can help planners make informed decisions on the optimal routes and initial asset allocation plan across multiple potential scenarios.Publication THE GHOST IN THE MACHINE: CBP POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND HIRING CULTURE MAKE FULL MISSION READINESS IMPOSSIBLE(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2024-09) Weston, Nathan J.; Halladay, Carolyn C.; Brown, Shannon A.; National Security Affairs (CHDS)U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) position classification system, driven by the outdated Factor Evaluation System (FES), constrains salaries for hard-to-fill technical positions and inflates those for non-technical positions. These factors, combined with an unregulated hiring manager culture, result in misclassifying and overgrading positions, thus hampering the CBP’s operational efficiency and legal compliance. This study investigates how well the current classification system and hiring manager culture meet the needs of CBP and identifies potential actions to foster a legally compliant, effective position design program. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research assesses classification practices, hiring manager influence, and the impact of agency policies on job design and mission readiness. The findings reveal that these factors degrade CBP’s administrative function and operational readiness, leading to legal challenges, potential workforce liability, and inefficiencies. Recommendations include overhauling the FES, rescoping the role and influence of hiring officials in the classification process, implementing robust training for hiring managers, and revising agency policies to enhance accountability and alignment with contemporary workforce requirements. The study contributes to the discourse on federal employment reforms that align classification standards and agency with modern job complexities and market realities.Publication A FRAMEWORK TO ORGANIZE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TEAMS IN A HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2024-09) Walsh, David M.; Owen, Walter E.; Gibbons, Deborah E.; Systems Engineering (SE)The COVID-19 pandemic and the Department of Defense’s ensuing 2023 transition to a hybrid work environment changed workplace culture and amplified the need to adapt the traditional document-centric practices of the systems engineering and project management disciplines. This study contributes to the ongoing post-pandemic research concerning productivity while teleworking, as well as the limited research about integrating both disciplines. It assessed the operating model of an organic Lead Systems Integrator, which informed an adaptive organizational structure and technological change proposal. An initial case study of a teleworking project team, subsequent focus groups, and an online survey collected inputs from 90 percent of this study’s population (n = 92). A mixed method analysis indicated that 73 percent of government and industry teammates prefer teleworking (mean = 3.8 days/week); more than 80 percent reported feeling part of a team and empowered to make decisions in this setting; productivity nearly doubled during the maximum telework period; model-based systems engineering tools and the Kanban methodology yielded a 50 percent gain in workflow efficiencies; and 70 percent of participants agreed that stove-piped communication—not telework—remains the greatest barrier to productivity. Recommendations to optimize resources and a scalable 21st century operating framework are suggested for practical implementation.