Military Communications and Information Technology: A Trusted ...

Managing Lessons Learnt from Daily Missions
– Methodology and Tool
Witold Hołubowicz, Wojciech Dymowski, Tomasz Springer
ITTI Ltd., Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland,
{holub, wojciech.dymowski, tomasz.springer}@itti.com.pl
Abstract: The paper is aimed to present an approach to managing military experience and the software
tool dedicated for this purpose. This approach (SIMS Lesson Learnt methodology) and
the tool (SIMS Lesson Learnt tool) are some of the results of the European Defence Agency (EDA)
funded SIMS project, which-focus on force protection issues. The developed methodology is based
on a recurrent and continuous lesson learnt process where phases of acquiring, analyzing and
applying experience can be distinguished. In order to improve dissemination of knowledge, each
phase off the LL process is reached as soon as possible. Additionally, new information resulting
from each phase is available for the widest possible range of all those concerned. To support lesson
learnt process activities, a dedicated IT tool – SIMS LL – has been developed. The SIMS LL tool uses
various methods of interactive, visual representation of the lesson learnt related data to enhance
the operator cognition. The analysis of the data in terms of the SIMS LL tool refers mostly to identification
of correlations between particular data entities (e.g. events, human terrain information)
and drawing conclusions from such correlations. As a result of the analysis, a lesson learnt related
data entity with relevant correlations is being created (e.g. an observation with correlated events,
lessons identified). In the end a recommendation which is a key product of analysing lesson learnt
related data can be defined. Such recommendations may be a proposition of a certain change in regulations,
the system of training and doctrines, based on the analysed experiences and affecting
directly safety and effectiveness of future military missions.
Keywords: lesson learnt, military, experience, daily mission, SIMS, EDA, PDT, methodology, process,
DOTMPLF, recommendation, observation
I. Introduction
Conducting recent military operations (e.g. Desert Storm, Iraq Freedom,
Enduring Freedom) has emphasized the need for fast acquiring, analyzing and
disseminating new information from the battlefield. This includes also soldiers
experience, which is the most valuable source of information especially in terms
of dynamically planned daily missions (e.g. convoys, patrols) in an asymmetrical
environment. Therefore, as a part of EDA SIMS project, a structured approach
to managing military experience and a dedicated for this purpose, have been
developed.