Disruptive solutions process: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Air National Guard - Flickr - The National Guard (1).jpg|thumb|The [[Air National Guard]] is the primary user of DSP.]]

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The '''disruptive solutions process''' ('''DSP''') is a formdecision-making ofprocess iterative,used low-cost,by first-to-marketthe development[[United States Air Force]] and [[Air National Guard]]. It was created in 2005 by [[fighter pilot]] and the [[United States Air Force]]/[[Air National Guard]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Edward Vaughan and is iterative, low-cost, and first-to-market in nature.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53044 Face of Defense: Air Guardsman Entrepreneurial Approach..]</ref> It is primarily used by the [[Air National Guard]] at the [[military tactics|tactical]] or operational level to prevent mishaps during the [[combat operations process]]. However, it has been used successfully in other government agencies and the private sector. The term 'disruptive' was borrowed from the marketing term [[disruptive technologies]].

==Overview==

The typical defense industry bureaucratic approach to problem-solving involves long [[Leadlead time|lead times]]s and relative inflexibility. Long development cycles and lead times results in solutions that are no longer relevant.<ref>[{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/lists/posts/post.aspx?ID=661 |title=DoD Procurement Chief: Acquisition Programs Stuck in Cycle of Failure - Blog |website=www.nationaldefensemagazine.org |access-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140503132704/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/lists/posts/post.aspx?ID=661] |archive-date=3 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Recent attempts to resolve inefficiencies include overwhelming the problem with funding, resources, and manpower—for example, major weapon systems development, such as a new fighter jet or IT system.<ref>[http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140403/NEWS/304030061/Lawmakers-scold-DoD-medical-records-failure] {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> Conversely, when resources are constrained, bureaucratic staff adopt continuous process improvement, similar to [[Kaizenkaizen]], [[total quality management]], and [[Lean Six Sigma]]. This perpetuates low-value programs that should be eliminated, rather than "improved".

Because most preventable safety mishaps are caused by human factors,<ref>Catalog of Air Force Statistics by Aircraft Type, considered typical for US Military [http://www.afsc.af.mil/organizations/aviation/aircraftstatistics/index.asp] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205120401/http://www.afsc.af.mil/organizations/aviation/aircraftstatistics/index.asp |date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref> safety should apply a [[Creative disruption|disruptive]], [[Iterative and incremental development|iterative approach]] that may not be appropriate in hardware-focused programs, such as aircraft production.

To address the cultural issues associated with mishap prevention in a large bureaucracy, the [[Air National Guard]] safety directorate used Boyd's [[OODA Loop|Observe, Orient, Decide, Act Loop]] to assess the effectiveness of the process. This was the origin of DSP.

DSP is persistent and adaptive:<blockquote>"Persistence is about refusing to give up even in the face of adversity. Adaptation is about shortening the time to success through ingenuity and flexibility. 'Adaptive persistence' entails alternating between anticipation, changing course, and sticking with it, deftly navigating that paradox with aplomb."<ref>[http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/gergen-vanourek/2009/04/fending-off-the-recession-with.html Adaptive Persistence article from HBR]</ref></blockquote>

{{blockquote|Persistence is about refusing to give up even in the face of adversity. Adaptation is about shortening the time to success through ingenuity and flexibility. "Adaptive persistence" entails alternating between anticipation, changing course, and sticking with it, deftly navigating that paradox with aplomb.}}

==Basic process==

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}}Essentially DSP is a six-step process that runs counter to the military mantra of being "requirements-driven", instead focusing on projecting future market needs. This is accomplished by looking at front-line problem solving activity and scaling these solutions up. These six steps, when applied rapidly, can get ahead of recognition, providing viable solutions at the point and time of need:

1. IDEA MINING: use professionals at the field unit level to identify best practices for mishap prevention. Project unpublished requirements by including end-use customers in the idea mining process.

2. CONSOLIDATE: Heuristically sort ideas into groups based on resource requirements, proven record, technology leveraging, mission accomplishment, identified needs. Order all projects based on overall value.

3. ELIMINATE BAD FITS: Scrub the list for items requiring major hardware or other difficult to acquire funding.

4. SELECT: Rapidly source funding in the sub-$50K range to perform a limited DEM/VAL of concept. The key is to remove barriers to execution that typically delay other military efforts.

5. ITERATE: Establish definition of success at the outset. Demonstrate measurable results within six months. Match requirements to resources and solutions.

6. MARKET: lead the effort on behalf of the [[United States Department of Defense]], etc. and tighten the OODA loop. Market the solution and seek buy-in by returning the solution to same experts that initially proposed it.

==History and program successes==

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DSP was initiated during [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|OIF]] in 2004, when a joint, interagency team, led by then-Major Edward Vaughan and then-Major Cameron Guthrie, created Project BLACK MOUNTAIN. The project evolved from a combined requirement to better share real-time tactical data among ground and air forces, as well as promote [[mid-air collision]] avoidance (MACA) within the [[area of responsibility]] (AOR). This project, which is no longer classified, assembled an ad hoc tactical datalink using in situ components within an Internet Protocol-normalized network throughout [[United States Central Command]]'s AOR. Data from otherwise incompatible systems were shared in near real time using data packet conversion methods developed on ___location. BLACK MOUNTAIN provided a viable fill in the gaps left by the dismantled Battlefield Universal Gateway Equipment (BUG-E)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=GKZx1vwaQ54C&pg=PA50&lpg=PA50&dq=SADL+Gateway+in+Iraq&source=bl&ots=JTyfCSAReo&sig=KbrpxneqzJnzPUFChP4akF9_wa0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NudkU8bbK4HMsQSF0oHoBQ&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=SADL%20Gateway%20in%20Iraq&f=false]</ref> gateway solution by distributing a redundant, universal concept of operations to remote stations. The disruptive and austere nature of the solution project, and its unexpected and rapid success, led to the creation of DSP as one way of streamlining bureaucracy in both combat non-combat environments.

More recently, DSP has been used in the [[Air National Guard|ANG]] and [[USAF]] to create and field mishap prevention programs. Safety programs created, executed, or developed using DSP:

DSP is a six-step process that focuses on projecting future market needs by looking at front-line problem solving activity and scaling those solutions up. Although the full algorithm has not been publicly published as of January 2024, the following process has been made public:

'''SEE AND AVOID'''&nbsp;– Joint DOD and Interagency with AOPA, EAA, and FAA. It is a web based civilian-military midair collision avoidance program created by then-Lt Col Ed Vaughan and led by ANG Safety directorate from 2005 to 2009, considered a best practice. ACC is partner; AFCENT asked for Iraq, Afghanistan coverage, now under contract, currently led and funded by FAA and ANG.<ref>[http://www.SeeAndAvoid.org See And Avoid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020000103/http://www.seeandavoid.org/ |date=October 20, 2006 }}</ref>

1. IDEAPOLL FIELD—IDEA MINING: useUse network of professionals at the field unit level to identify best practices forpractice mishap prevention., education, Projectmishap unpublishedinvestigation, requirementsprocurement, byand includingother end-usetools. customersLook infor thefull ideaand miningpartial processsolutions.

'''WingmanDay.org''': Originally fielded as RealBase across the Air National Guard...this Comprehensive Commander’s Toolkit identifies safety issues, resiliency subject matter, and provides tools for commanders, leaders, and care practitioners to address; created by ANG Safety directorate after 2007 Safety Stand Down Day to provide ONE STOP SHOPPING for commanders and leaders. The RealBase web portal ran through 2009, when IT officials at the National Guard Bureau suspended it. In 2011, the program was relaunched as Wingman Day. The Air Force Safety Center took the RealBase Toolkit concept and developed one-stop-shopping online tool kits hosted on the secure Air Force Portal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wingmanday.org/ |title=Wingman Day |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202213017/http://wingmanday.org/ |archive-date=December 2, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

2. CONSOLIDATE / RACK AND STACK: HeuristicallySort list sortof ideas into groups based on resource requirements, proven record, technology leveraging, mission accomplishment, and identified needs. OrderRank order all projects based on overall value to the force using DSP assessment algorithm.

'''Maintenance Resource Management (MRM)''': Joint DOD-wide. Originated by Lt Col Doug Slocum (AZ ANG) --see [[Maintenance Resource Management]]. ANG included it in DSP and took it DOD-wide with ANG and DOD funding...now Air Force program mandated by Air Force Instruction 21–101. Air Force Safety Center will propose way ahead on [[Outsourcing relationship management|ORM]] revitalization & role of [[Crew Resource Management|CRM]] / [[Maintenance Resource Management|MRM]].

3. ELIMINATE BAD FITS: Scrub the list for those items requiring major hardware, Air Force Major Command level funding, or other special, difficult to acquire funding or processes. Also remove from consideration solutions that duplicate or compete directly with future programmed or existing military programs unless the cost savings is significant, as well as those programs that are not scalable in scope.

'''FlyAwake''': ANG-wide, soon to be DOD-wide Joint Service. 201 Airlift Squadron (DC ANG), under command of Col Woody Akins, originated the basic concept for a web-based fatigue risk management tool which returns quantitative fatigue analysis for given flight schedule. This tool was based on the algorithm contained within [[Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool|FAST]]. Under direction of program manager Captain Lynn Lee, the ANG integrated it into the DSP and took it ANG-wide, then DOD-wide.<ref>[http://www.Flyawake.org Fly Awake, User-Friendly Fatigue Assessment and Mitigation]</ref>

4. SELECT AND DEM/VAL: Consider resource requirements and rapidly source field unit funding or headquarters seed monies in the sub-$50K range to perform a limited demonstration and validation (DEM/VAL) of concept. Use rapid contracting mechanisms through government contracting office, primarily employing SBA set-asides, blanket purchase agreements, or previously procured assets that may be re-roled into current use.

'''Wingman Project''': The [[Wingman Project]] was created by Lt Col Edward Vaughan, chief of aviation safety at the Air National Guard in August 2007. Wingman Project is an ANG suicide intervention initiative that SHOWS, not tells, family and friends of distressed Airmen how to intervene to save a life, using a validated model known as ACE (Ask, Care, Escort). The Wingman Project provides training and awareness through media outreach in 54 U.S. states and territories.<ref>[http://www.WingmanProject.org The Wingman Project]</ref>

5. ITERATE FOR RESULTS: Establish definition of success that are measurable and reportable. Then, demonstrate measurable results within six months. Meanwhile, seek further external and scalable funding from sources such as DARPA, Defense Safety Oversight Council (DSOC), other services, other government agencies, etc.

'''ANG AFCAST''' (online safety cultural survey) was the first Air National Guard variant of AFCAST. Dr. (Lt Col) Tracy Dillinger developed AFCAST for the US Air Force. In 2006/2007, Air National Guard provided key funding to the Air Force Safety Center to keep the AFCAST program viable. In return, a customized cultural tool for ANG, called ANG AFCAST was developed in 2006/2007 by the Chief of ANG Flight Safety in collaboration with Dr. Bob Figlock. The Defense Safety Oversight Council<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acq.osd.mil/atptf/guidance/index.html |title=DSOC |access-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827120942/http://www.acq.osd.mil/atptf/guidance/index.html |archive-date=August 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> later funded the Joint Safety Climate Assessment System,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.defense-climate.us/release/Welcome.jsp |title=JSCAS |access-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603122831/http://www.defense-climate.us/release/Welcome.jsp |archive-date=June 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> under the leadership of Col Don White. ANG adopted JSCAS in lieu of ANG AFCAST based on better effectiveness. JSCAS and Joint MRM were briefed together in 2007 by ANG Safety officers to the Chief of the Navy Safety Center at Norfolk as complementary programs. Used to assess unit cultural issues and target solutions to the base needs. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110603122831/http://www.defense-climate.us/release/Welcome.jsp JSCAS]

6. LEAD AND MARKET: Market the solution intensely and seek buy in by returning the solution to same experts that initially proposed it. Identify capable project leaders to run with the project.

'''dBird bird mortality model'''. Created and developed as interagency program combining partners from [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]], [[Smithsonian]], [[National Science Foundation|NSF]], [[USDA]], [[United States Department of Homeland Security|DHS]], and [[NOAA]] under ANG leadership to track, target, and predict movements of pathogen-infected bird flocks using [[Bird strike|BASH]] resources such as BAM/AHAS, NexRAD radar system, and others.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dbird.us/ |title=dBird, Bird Mortality Model |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102002503/http://dbird.us/ |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

This is a form of the more well known [[OODA loop]]. Step 1 is Observe, steps 2 and 3 are Orient, steps 4 and 5 are Decide, and step 6 is Act.

'''BASH''': ANG has comprehensive full-service BASH assessments and plan writing program, with [[Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request|MIPR]] and contracts from ANG to [[USDA]] and the world’s leading expert in avian wildlife biology, Dr. Russ DeFusco.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bash-inc.com/ |title=Dr. Russ DeFusco's BASH Firm |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109205901/http://bash-inc.com/ |archive-date=January 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.USAHAS.com US Avian Hazard Advisory System]</ref>

==History==

'''Air Reserve Component Chief of Safety Course (ARCCOS)'''&nbsp;– created by the ANG safety directorate in 2005, ARCCOS is tailored to [[Air National Guard|ANG]]/[[Air Force Reserve Command|AFRC]] needs; syllabus designed and course taught by ANG, well represented at active duty mishap investigation courses.

The disruptive solutions process was first used in 2004, when a joint team led by Vaughan created Project ''Black Mountain''. The project evolved from a combined requirement to share real-time tactical data among ground and air forces, as well as avoid [[mid-air collision]]s within the [[area of responsibility]]. The term 'disruptive' was borrowed from the marketing term "[[disruptive technologies]]".

More recently, DSP has been used in the [[Air National Guard|ANG]] and [[USAF|the United States Air Force]] to create and field mishap prevention programs. Safety programs created, executed, or developed using DSP:

'''Low Altitude Deconfliction Program'''&nbsp;– Deconflict.org is online scheduling function with [[FAA]]'s MADE program to provide collision avoidance for military aircraft operating in low altitude environment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deconflict.org/ |title=Low Level Deconfliction |access-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520002506/http://www.deconflict.org/ |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* '''SEESee ANDand AVOIDAvoid'''&nbsp;– Joint DOD and Interagency with AOPA, EAA, and FAA. It is: a web -based civilian-military midair collision avoidance program created by then-Lt Col Ed Vaughan and led by ANGthe [[Air National Guard]] Safety directorate from 2005 to 2009, considered a best practice. ACC is partner; AFCENT asked for Iraq, Afghanistan coverage, now under contract, currently led and funded by FAA and ANG.<ref>[http://www.SeeAndAvoid.org See And Avoid] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020000103/http://www.seeandavoid.org/ |date=October 20, 2006 }}</ref>

'''Ready 54'''&nbsp;– Ready54.org is online joint resiliency outreach and education tool with associated mobile apps. Ready 54 is a joint endeavor between the Air and Army National Guard.<ref>[http://www.ready54.org/about/ Ready 54 About Us]</ref>

'* ''WingmanDay.org''': Originally fielded as RealBase across the Air National Guard...this Comprehensive Commander’s Toolkit identifies safety issues, resiliency subject matter, and provides tools for commanders, leaders, and care practitioners to address; created by ANG Safety directorate after 2007 Safety Stand Down Day to provide ONE STOP SHOPPING for commanders and leaders. The RealBase web portal ran through 2009, when IT officials at the National Guard Bureau suspended it. In 2011, the program was relaunched as ''Wingman Day''. The Air Force Safety Center took the RealBase Toolkit concept and developed one-stop-shopping online tool kits hosted on the secure Air Force Portal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wingmanday.org/ |title=Wingman Day |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202213017/http://wingmanday.org/ |archive-date=December 2, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* ''FlyAwake'': a web-based fatigue risk management tool which returns quantitative fatigue analysis for a given flight schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.flyawake.org/ |title=Fly Awake, User-Friendly Fatigue Assessment and Mitigation |access-date=February 17, 2009 |archive-date=January 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117025735/http://www.flyawake.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* ''[[Wingman Project]]'': a suicide intervention initiative that shows family and friends of distressed Airmen how to intervene to save a life, providing training in 54 U.S. states and territories.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20091006181638/http://www.wingmanproject.org/ The Wingman Project]}}</ref>

'* ''dBird bird mortality model'''. : Createdtracks and developed as interagency program combining partners from [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]], [[Smithsonian]], [[National Science Foundation|NSF]], [[USDA]], [[United States Department of Homeland Security|DHS]], and [[NOAA]] under ANG leadership to track, target, and predictpredicts movements of pathogen-infected bird flocks using [[Bird strike|BASHbird-aircraft-strike-hazard]] resources such as BAM/AHAS, NexRAD radar system, and others.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dbird.us/ |title=dBird, Bird Mortality Model |access-date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102002503/http://dbird.us/ |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'* ''Low Altitude Deconfliction Program'''&nbsp;–: Deconflict.org isan online scheduling function with [[FAA|the Federal Aviation Administration]]'s MADE program to provideavoid collision avoidancecollisions for military aircraft operating in low -altitude environmentenvironments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deconflict.org/ |title=Low Level Deconfliction |access-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520002506/http://www.deconflict.org/ |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'* ''Ready 54'''&nbsp;– Ready54.org: isan online joint resiliency outreach and education tool with associated mobile apps. Ready 54 is a joint endeavor between the Air and Army National Guard.<ref>[http://www.ready54.org/about/ Ready 54 About Us]</ref>

On September 25, 2009, Dr. John Ohab of the American Forces Press Service interviewed Vaughan about DSP.<ref>[http://science.dodlive.mil/tag/wingman-project/ Wingman Project]</ref><ref>[https://adityarajsingh.com/ About Aditya Raj Singh]</ref>

==In the news==

On September 25, 2009, Dr. John Ohab of the American Forces Press Service, and host of Armed With Science interviewed Lt Col Edward Vaughan about the Disruptive Solutions Process. An article about that interview can be found here [http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=55983 Defense News Service]. A direct link to the interview here <ref>[http://science.dodlive.mil/tag/wingman-project/ Wingman Project]</ref>

<ref>[https://adityarajsingh.com/ About Aditya Raj Singh]</ref>

==See also==

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==External links==

* The Wingman Project: {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20091006181638/http://www.wingmanproject.org/ Suicide Intervention]}}

* See And Avoid: [https://web.archive.org/web/20061020000103/http://www.seeandavoid.org/ Civil/Military Mid-Air Collision Avoidance]

* Richards, Chet: [https://web.archive.org/web/20090227065603/http://www.d-n-i.net/boyd/boyds_ooda_loop.ppt OODA explained]. Seven-slide presentation explaining the OODA Loop

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* Lockheed's Skunkworks: [https://web.archive.org/web/20090227060019/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/aeronautics/skunkworks/14rules.html Kelly's 14 Rules]

* Seamless Compassion, One-stop Automated Public Assistance: [https://web.archive.org/web/20110826220933/http://seamlesscompassion.org/ Seamless Compassion Link]

* FlyAwake: [http://www.flyawake.org Pilot Fatigue Mitigation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090117025735/http://www.flyawake.org/ |date=January 17, 2009 }}

[[Category:United States Air Force]]