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Capability Management Strategy (CMS)

What is a Capability Management Strategy?

A Capability Management Strategy (CMS) expresses how a Capability Management Group (CMG) develops its defined Capability Area in line with the Joint Capability Board’s (JCB) stated direction and guidance, taking account of all Defence Lines of Development.

A CMG uses a CMS to issue direction, guidance and tasks that govern Capability Planning Groups (CPGs) in planning and delivering capabilities on behalf of the CMG. It guides and expresses the business and intent of a CMG in a standard and defined format.

Why is a Capability Management Strategy necessary?

The sum of all Capability Management Strategies within the Equipment Capability Customer (ECC) equates to the strategy of the Joint Capabilities Board and each CMS assures the JCB that its direction and guidance has been interpreted appropriately.

How is the Capability Management Strategy structured?

The structure of a CMS comprises narratives for the following:

Context	A definition of the Capability Area. A current assessment of the Capability Area across the five perspectives. Any significant constraints that bound the CMG. Note. This narrative should be taut.
Vision	How the defined Capability Area will mature by the end of Epoch 1, 2 and 3 and how this agrees with the Joint Capability Board’s direction and guidance.
Objectives	How the Capability Management Group interprets the Joint Capabilities Board’s direction and guidance. What is required to move the Capability Area along an achievable path toward the vision. What needs to be done in the short term to meet the Epoch 1 vision and set the conditions for subsequent Epoch visions.
Approach	How the Capability Management Group is going to achieve the stated objectives in a structured manner through time - best done with a visual plan showing key decision or activity points along various lines of operation.
Direction	What the Capability Management Group is actually going to do and when it is going to do it - according to the approach. This should be directed at Capability Planning Groups or other stakeholders accountable to the Capability Management Group without impinging on their freedom of manoeuvre.

A Capability Management Strategy Template [208KB PPT] is available.

Why have a standard structure for Capability Management Strategies?

The standard structure of a CMS ensures it is readily understood by:

Members of the JCB.
Stakeholders who attend multiple CMGs.
CPGs tasked to deliver a discreet output on behalf of the CMG.

Change History

1 July 2008: Link to CMS Template added.