Testing and Training 2020: From Stovepipes to Collaborative Enterprises

摘要

This article presents approaches for overcoming the obstacles in the path to integrating Department of Defense (DoD) test and evaluation (T&E) and training communities to better support the modern-day warfighter and to enable new opportunities for shared investment, development, and process improvement. Testing and training, now managed under separate fiscal and managerial constructs, are hindered from establishing shared capabilities by distinctly different goals and funding. Each community must synchronize its priorities and funding with those of the other community to secure joint investments. A two- community perspective of the future path was expressed at the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Open Forum on Testing and Training. The proposed path to achieving integration of testing and training includes the establishment of a singular management backbone that encourages joint investment to eliminate duplication of effort and thus, systemically bring about cost reduction and enhance effectiveness across both communities. Such a shared backbone would enhance testing, training, interoperability, and warfighting through the increased commonality and realism of warfighting systems prior to fielding.