Accession Number:

ADA500176

Title:

Army Reserve Capabilities-Based Prioritization Study

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. 1 May 2007-31 Jul 2008

Corporate Author:

ARMY TRADOC ANALYSIS CENTER MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Tollefson, Eric S.
• Cherry, Andrew
• Schamburg, Jeffrey

Report Date:

2008-08-15

Pagination or Media Count:

178.0

Abstract:

This study was conducted for the United States Army Reserve USAR, Program Analysis and Evaluation PAE Directorate, as part of the Army Studies Program. In it, we were asked to identify a reproducible, quantifiable, qualifiable and auditable methodology for the prioritization and allocation of finite Army resources. The methodology must consider Army preferences for programs, determine individual program value, and link individual program value to available resources in order to develop a programming recommendation. We began our study with a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder analysis designed to gain an understanding of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System PPBES to identify the current issues and problems associated with PPBES and to develop a set of candidate methodological approaches. Based upon that research, we identified the required characteristics of the methodological approach compiled a comprehensive list of potential alternatives evaluated and compared the alternatives and recommended a value-focused thinking VFT approach to resource allocation. We then conducted a proof-of-principle application of the VFT approach to a more narrowly-focused decision context involving the allocation of resources to potential USAR accession and retention incentives. We were then able to extrapolate the results to a larger Army resource allocation problem. Finally, we developed a tool, called the Value-Based Evaluation Support Tool VBEST, to facilitate the application of our recommended approach. This report describes the conduct of the study in detail to include the background research methodology identification, comparison, and recommendation proof-of-principle application and the resulting decision support tool.

Descriptors:

• *ARMY BUDGETS
• *DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
• *PLANNING PROGRAMMING BUDGETING
• RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• SOFTWARE TOOLS
• INCENTIVE CONTRACTS
• ALLOCATIONS
• PROTOTYPES
• FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE