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Homeland Security Capabilities-Based Planning: Lessons from the Defense Community
Title: Homeland Security Capabilities-Based Planning: Lessons from the Defense Community
Author: Sharon L. Caudle
Date: 2005
Institution: Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
Bibliographic Entry: Caudle, Sharon L. “Homeland Security Capabilities-Based Planning: Lessons from the Defense Community.” Homeland Security Affairs. Vol I, Issue 2. 2005. http://www.hsaj.org/pages/volume1/issue2/pdfs/1.2.2.pdf
Electronic Link: http://www.hsaj.org/pages/volume1/issue2/pdfs/1.2.2.pdf
Key Words: capabilities-based planning, performance management, business case, waterfall analysis, DOD, HSPD-8
Summary of Key Issues, Points, Conclusions:
Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD-8) drove the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement a capabilities-based planning approach (CBP) used by the Department of Defense (DoD). Dr. Caudle, Assistant Director of the Homeland Security and Justice Team in the Government Accountability Office (GAO), reviews the CPB model and processes and describes the components of DoD’s program with a comparison to progress made by DHS efforts.
For successful results, Dr. Caudle contends a strong business case is imperative with overarching DHS goals of counter-terrorism and all-hazards preparedness. Caudle calls for a single-source policy document for homeland security and national preparedness. The third and fourth components of CBP require ownership by various stakeholders (e.g., state and local governments and associations), and by top leaders. She also addresses the importance of additional components: a well-designed decision process, risk assessment, planning horizons to stage capability development, the right planning and exercise scenarios, capability design and category standardization - using a “waterfall” analysis, rules for task and capability list development, evolution of applications and maturity, and organizational and cultural enablers.
Dr. Caudle concludes this article with four challenges, which distinguish the homeland security mission from that of DoD, to include mission scope, national view, understanding of resources, and breadth of target customer.
Name of Researcher: Ann Marie Pease
Institution: Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: Sept. 14, 2007