[Sample B: Approval/Signature Sheet] - George Mason University

of the overarching objective of the model: maximize the contribution of the aircraft
systems to the BAF’s operational capability.
Next, this top-level objective needed to be further specified and clarified in order
to break it into logical parts, supposed to ―indicate the set of objectives over which
attributes should be defined.‖ 85
This step required a clear definition of the meaning of operational capability in
order to guide the research efforts. Although a clear definition of the term was not found
in any official document, the following concepts were used to derive it, as well as the
opinion of senior DMs:
Operational readiness - The capability of a unit/formation, ship, weapon system,
or equipment to perform the missions or functions for which it is organized or designed.
May be used in a general sense or to express a level or degree of readiness. 86
Operational efficiency – Ability of an operational organization to accomplish,
appropriately and with economy of means, all the combat missions, provided in its
doctrinal basis. 87
Operational capability (DM) – Ability to perform the tasks for which the
organization is designed.
defined as:
Thus, for the purpose of this work, the operational capability of the BAF was
85
Keeney, Value-Focused Thinking, 69.
86
The U.S. Department of Defense, The Dictionary of Military Terms, Original. (Skyhorse Publishing,
2009), 345.
87
Ministério da Defesa, MD 35-G01 Glossário das Forças Armadas (Brasilia, Brasil, 2007), 87.
38