Defence Magazine

When Bob the Builder and his team are asked if they can carry out a difficult task, Bob responds with a firm "yes, we can".

Defence wants members of the Navy and those associated with it to provide the same answer when it comes to capability.

But what is the Directorate seeking to achieve? In the context of the Navy Capability Management System, capability is the quality of being able, competent and efficient in the performance of its designated roles at an acceptable level of risk.

Navy capability is derived from a combination of force structure and preparedness and consists of a range of inputs that are fundamental to success.

These fundamental inputs to capability (FIC) are organisation, personnel, collective training, major systems, supplies, facilities, support and command and management.

Force structure, preparedness and readiness sustainability are critical to providing capability.

Force structure relates to the type of force required, including personnel, equipment, facilities and the military doctrine to achieve the level of capability necessary to conduct operations effectively.

Force structure is the force-in-being (including Reserve forces) linked to government guidance, which would be required to achieve a desired effect.

Preparedness is a measure of the state of the force-in-being to undertake military operations to achieve the required effects.

Readiness denotes a force's ability to generate a desired effect within a specified time and is the physical application of the FIC to meet an operational requirement.

Sustainability denotes a force's ability to continue to conduct directed tasks. It is also measured in terms of the FIC and is determined by adequate resources and demands caused by issues of concurrence.

In relation to capability and budget, Navy is funded by Government to deliver a Directed Level of Capability (DLOC) to meet CDF Preparedness Directives and to ensure CN's raise, train and sustain responsibilities are met.

Navy's DLOC, by output, is defined in CN's Organisational Performance Agreement with CDF and the Defence Secretary.

As for capability management and policy, Navy's capability management is the operation of the components of a governance system that enables the delivery of Navy capability.

This occurs at three levels, the higher Defence level where resources are authorised and assigned to the CN, Navy Headquarters level (strategic) where resources are prioritised and assigned to FEGs in the output DLOC and the operational and tactical level where the Maritime Commander directs FEG commanders to use or influence assigned resources with the aim of optimising the delivery of that capability.

A focus on process

The Chief of Navy's Organisational Performance Agreement (OPA) and "Plan Green" are among the subjects to be discussed at a Navy Capability and Business Management conference set for HMAS Waterhen from March 15 to 17.

The Directorate of Navy Business Improvement will conduct the annual event with the purpose of educating middle and senior-level managers on the capability-business relationship within the Navy.

This year the theme will be "enhancing capability through appropriate and focussed business processes".

The capability and business management areas of Defence and the increasing pressure for efficiency and accountability justifies such a conference that focuses on the alignment of business practices to support capability goals.

The conference will provide people in Navy, or those interacting with Navy, with additional information.

It is appropriate for newly joined uniformed and civilian staff, people from enabling groups supporting Navy capability and business and those who would benefit from, understanding the Navy DMFP/OPA/DLOC process.

The first day of the conference will deal with broader current issues from a high-level perspective.

Speakers will be one-star and above. Days two and three will be in seminar/workshop format.

For more information:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/

Defence

Navy

Building a capable navy

A focus on process