The over, or under-commitment of forces in a combat environment can result in the unnecessary loss of life, and compromise the ability of committed forces to prevail in their missions. Appropriate commitment requires a clear understanding of the capability of available forces, and a key tool in this determination is operational test and evaluation (OT&E). The role of OT&E in the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO), with emphasis on the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the subject of investigation in this research. / The ADO recognises the need for OT&E throughout the entire life of capability systems, and policy mandating its conduct has been in effect for over a decade. Despite this, Defence and in particular the RAAF, lacks a suitable infrastructure to support the development, and maintenance of high quality OT&E practices. / In trying to implement the Defence directive to 'get on with it', without a definition of what 'it' is, RAAF elements have developed a number of disparate approaches to OT&E. these attempts have largely failed to uphold the principles of OT&E in evaluating capability, and have potentially put lives at stake. Furthermore, the dearth of coordinated practical guidance on the conduct of OT&E has resulted in the continued inability of the RAAF to realise the many potential benefits that a coordinated approach to OT&E has to offer. / This research was thus undertaken to define a framework, supporting integration with capability management processes, which would facilitate the standardised development and maintenance of OT&E through the RAAF. The objectives of the research were achieved, through the definition of a simple, flexible and effective model that could be adapted for ADF-wide implementation. A strategy for implementing the model was also developed, based on the principles of project and change management. In combination, these proposals have provided a sound basis for the RAAF to develop an enduring OT&E capability, and start realising the benefits of high-quality OT&E that is integrated with capability management processes. / Thesis (MEducationbyResearch)--University of South Australia, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/267452 |
| Creators | Lett, Brookelyn. |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | copyright under review |
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