The Solutions Group of US Joint Forces Command's Joint National Training Capability is developing a Joint After Action Review resource library (JAAR-RL) from Service GOTS tools. A successful business and technical approach of using resources of all four Services collaborating to build a new joint capability for use by all, a GOTS open source solution. Architectures within the Department of Defense (DoD) are created for a number of reasons. From a compliance perspective, the DoD is compelled by law and policy (i.e., Clinger-Cohen Act, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130) to develop architectures. From a practical perspective, experience has demonstrated that the management of large organizations employing sophisticated systems and technologies in pursuit of joint missions demands a structured, repeatable method for evaluating investments and investment alternatives, implementing organizational change, creating new systems, and deploying new technologies. Towards this end, the JAAR-RL Architecture and associated framework were developed as a guide for the integration of service AAR tool sets to satisfy Joint training needs.
The JAAR-RL provides the guidance and rules for integrating, representing, and understanding AAR tool sets based on a common denominator (framework) across Joint training sites and facilities. It provides Joint training stakeholders with insight into how to integrate the JAAR-RL into their training environments. The JAAR-RL architecture ensures that system descriptions can be compared and related across services, programs, mission areas, and ultimately, the enterprise, thus, establishing the foundation for analyses that supports decision-making processes throughout the DoD. This paper will describe the four points of architecture allowing the development of the Joint AAR Resource Library, and lessons learned from the use and production of disparate systems into one integrated homogeneous system.