The Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) is improving training decision support processes and systems through the innovative application of current business modeling and simulation practices. This effort is being conducted under CNET's Training Business Modeling and Simulation (TBMS) program. Through the development and implementation of a standardized architecture and methodology, CNET is incrementally developing a training decision support capability anchored by a foundation of computer simulation models that provide "ground-truth" information.

This maturing decision support capability will allow decision-makers to "Fly Before They Buy" new training technology or process improvements. The end-state of the TBMS program is envisioned to be a web-based Training Business Area Resource Repository (TBARR). Decision-makers will be able to use this repository to quickly test simplistic or complex improvements to underlying business processes or information technology systems in support of the training continuum, and also evaluate the consequences of such actions in simulation before implementation. The tested and validated scenarios will provide critical metrics to the training community, such as cost, resource requirements, and student time-to-train (to include Under Instruction (UI), Awaiting Instruction, (AI), Interrupted Instruction (II), and Awaiting Transfer (AT)). The simulated consequences can then be compared to the cost of implementation to compute Return on Investment to the Navy.

This paper will describe the TBMS architecture and standardized methodology for executing TBMS efforts. Leveraging High-Level Architecture (HLA) concepts, this architecture is developed for the use and re-use of business process models created using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) applications. The architecture purposefully sacrifices complete interoperability in an open system with open standards to gain the benefits of rapid model development in a structured architecture with standard methodologies for development, modification, and analysis.

This paper will also present a real-world application of this methodology for Navy Training. A short demonstration of the simulation model will be presented with a summary of how the model was used to provide cost benefit analysis of information technology and support process modifications.

The sharing of information that is fostered by the TBMS architecture will increase capability and cost-effectiveness by increased interoperability and reuse of business process models and business simulations. Participants in the CNET TBMS project will have the benefit of using a one-stop shopping location for all modeling and simulation related materials. Common standards, methodology, ROI requirements, and validation and verification policies and procedures will also mark the architecture and will provide substantial payback. A system level view of business processes will be documented, validated, and available for future reference and training applications. Ultimately, the Navy will spend fewer resources on training process simulation development and analysis, and will benefit by more informed decisions through a robust training decision support system.