DOTMLPF (pronounced "Dot-MiL-P-F") is an acronym for doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities. It is used by the United States Department of Defense[1] and was defined in the Joint Capabilities Integration Development System, or JCIDS Process as the framework to design what administrative changes and/or acquisition efforts would fill a capability need[2] [3] required to accomplish a mission.[4] Because combatant commanders define requirements in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), they are able to consider gaps in the context of strategic direction for the total US military force and influence the direction of requirements earlier in the acquisition process, in particular, materiel.
It also serves as a mnemonic for staff planners to consider certain issues prior to undertaking a new effort.
Here is an example of how DOTMLPF would be interpreted in the military context:
The idea is to fix the capability gap, and CJCSI 3170.01G – Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, 1 March 2009, is the one governing instruction that encompasses both materiel (requiring new defense acquisition programs) and non-materiel (not requiring new defense acquisition program) solutions. [6]
The Defense Acquisition University Glossary gives the following definitions.
During the US Army's process of developing and fielding laser Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE-MSHORAD) on Strykers, the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has established an "Octagon"— a stakeholder forum for doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy.[8]
NATO uses a similar acronym, DOTMLPF-I, the "I" standing for "Interoperability": the ability to be interoperable with forces throughout the NATO alliance.[9] NATOs AJP-01 Allied Joint Doctrine (2022) describes interoperability as the "ability of NATO, other political departments, agencies and, when appropriate, forces of partner nations to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve Allied tactical, operational and strategic objectives".[10] Interoperability can be achieved withen the three dimensions of interoperability; the technical, the procedural and the human dimension.
NATOs Cability Development (CAPDEV) is part of the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP), where DOTMLPFI is used as a framework to test and develop these concepts and capabilities.[11] While developing a concept, NATO describes two orientations; either to transform or find a solution. NATO CD&E Handbook (2021) describes using the DOTMPLFI framework and the lines of development when trying to find the solution.[12] The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE) has established a dedicated innovation center for all the stakeholders within the Norwegian defence sector, called ICE worx. ICE worx's modell for rapid innovation is used when modern technology with a high technical readiness level is available to find new solutions with only some minor needs for development. To ensure operativ effects of the innovation is achieved, the rapid innovation modell uses the DOTMLPFI framework to identify how the development and experimentation of new technology will effect the different factors.[13]
DOTMLPFI-IE
Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) uses the DOTMLPFI framework to develop a total project plan (TPP) in investment processes. The TPP was formalized in the NAF in 2018. For the procurement of materiel, which is done by the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA), they use the PRINSIX project model, based on the PRINCE2 method. The TPP is devolved in close coordination with the project plan developed by NDMA, and where the project plan covers how the materiel procurement is managed, the TPP covers all the factors needed for the procurement to reach the business goals and achieve the operative benefits of the investment. However, to ensure all factors in materiell investments are taken into consideration before NAF are ready to actually start using the materiel and equipment, they added an I for Information systems and an E for Economy. Information systems include communication systems, battle management systems, radios or information security. Often Information systems are not part of the specific Materiell investment project, but is regarded as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). Economy was added to the DOTMLPFI-IE because NAF in 2015 (and in 2024) got a rapport from the NDRE stating that "Operating costs are given little weight in investment decisions".[14] Economy as an own factor in the TPP is to ensure the different processes both before, during and after the materiel procurement is done, is planned with in order to mitigate risks relating to operating costs.