Essay About Information Capabilities Framework And Information Technology

Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans
Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans
In United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), millions of dollars are spent every year
purchasing or supporting Information Technology (IT) systems and services. In spite of the
annual costs, a consistent method to measure what is received for investments is virtually non-
existent. Given the complexity of operations within the Department of Defense (DOD), this is
understandable. Managing IT systems and services require an implementation plan coupled with
an effective change management strategy, risk management, and contingency plan.
The implementation plan involves how to accomplish a strategic plan. Using the
capabilities-based approach will enable USPACOM to modernize and transform its IT systems
and services to execute the mission of USPACOM. As remarked by former Secretary of Defense,
Donald Rumsfeld to the National Defense University, “We need to change not only the
capabilities at our disposal, but also how we think about war. All the high-tech weapons in the
world will not transform the U.S. armed forces unless we also transform the way we think, the
way we train, the way we exercise, and the way we fight” (p. 4). In this context, a capability is
the ability to achieve an effect. An effect is a desired strategic outcome. The capabilities-based
approach will involve articulating an explicit strategy to force IT transformation and
FIGURE 1logically outlines four main objectives that are essential to executing the
capabilities-based approach. This discipline is used to allocate resources and assign solutions in
order to achieve mission objectives.
IMPLEMENTATION, STRATEGIC CONTROLS, AND CONTINGENCY PLANS 3
1. Information Capabilities Framework – An end-to- end, top-to- bottom framework that
includes all capabilities and its reach to all USPACOM IT system and services. The
framework assists in organizing and guiding implementation of capabilities into a single