CapDEM Exercise Gamma: Results and Discussion

Abstract : Exercise Gamma was designed to be a complete third-party test and evaluation of the Collaborative Capability Definition, Engineering and Management (CapDEM) approach. The primary goal of this final iteration of the CapDEM Evaluation Strategy was to test and evaluate the CapDEM approach using a real problem based on a departmentally-defined scenario and executed by a team composed of DND/CF members. The intent was to validate the necessary people, process and materiel to address a real problem while still enabling the observation and study of its application within an increasingly operational-like environment. As the third and final exercise, Exercise Gamma was the largest and most ambitious of the evaluation efforts, the result of gradual, controlled growth from one exercise to another, benefiting from the accumulated experience of the evaluation team along with its validated evaluation strategy. The exercise shifted away from incrementally controlled experimentation towards the reality of actual departmental clients applying Capability Engineering and CapDEM's ability to meet those needs. Accordingly, this report summarizes the results of Exercise Gamma which was undertaken to evaluate the three fundamental axes that compose the Capability Engineering (CE) construct (i.e., People, Process and Materiel). Specifically, the report outlines the conduct of Exercise Gamma, the results of observations and focus groups that were conducted throughout the exercise, and provides discussion and recommendations to consider in terms of the potential institutionalization of the CapDEM approach within the department.