Modelling Training: A case study from Army Training Branch ISMOR 2017 – Simon Strong

Some Background… Army Training Branch Deliver Individual and Collective Training Policy supported by effective training solutions for Army 2020 and beyond in order to ensure success on operations. Capability Management Plan The document used to identify the investment requirements to maintain and enhance operational effectiveness. Benefit An outcome of value, to a given stakeholder, accrued from a series of investments.

The Challenge… Issue Army Training Branch could not visualise the training value chain to inform investment decisions. Requirement Illustrate the value chain linking investments to desired training outcomes. Note: All data and results are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect actual systems.

What is Benefits Modelling? A process to link and analyse investments along the value chain through capabilities that result in Benefits with tangible value to the end customer. Advantages Documents the Customer perspective in a visual and logical manner Transparent and auditable means of problem structuring; Evaluates level of Benefit for different options (either in absolute terms or relative to a defined level of need); Identifies which Investments are key drivers; Evidences where and why a system or enterprise is strong/weak

How does it work? Intermediate Benefits (Capabilities) Investments End Benefits Each ‘node’ identifies a measurable and meaningful goal for a specific actor e.g. Speed of MoD Research Internal or external investments which can be ‘scored’ e.g. Availability of Research Centres Culminates in an End Benefit of clear value to a Stakeholder e.g. Dstl able to research new threats in a timely manner ‘Links’ represent the nature of interaction between Investments/ Benefits e.g. both inputs are required to deliver this output

Intermediate Benefits (Capabilities) A simple example Intermediate Benefits (Capabilities) Investments End Benefits

Whole Life Benefits Outcome A Outcome B A B Time Causality Projects

BARN-OWL (Benefits Assessment Relative to Need – Over Whole Life) Some features: Capable of evaluating over time; Capable of handling option mixes; Handles uncertainty in data through three-point estimates & monte-carlo; Enables analysts to explore and interact with the map; Manages data in a transparent and auditable manner; Generates multiple output views include COEIA plots; Consistent with UK MoD, NATO and Treasury best practice; Proven tool used on a range of MoD and OGD projects.

Benefits Mapping in BARN-OWL

Outcomes – ‘Plan on a Page’ Outcome assured Time (FY) Outcomes Outcome unlikely

What if…? Outcome assured Time (FY) Outcomes Outcome unlikely

In Conclusion… Benefits Modelling is a powerful way to moderate understanding of complex interactions that culminate in a desired outcome. Roke have used Benefits Modelling to visualise training as a process delivering capability and intangible outcomes. Training Branch now understand the implications of changes to training systems on their desired training outcomes. We are in the process of expanding the ‘Plan on a Page’ to provide further detail of the factors driving outcomes.