The Modelling and Simulation Branch (MSB) of the Maneuver Battle Lab conducts simulation-based experimentation in support of Army Capabilities Managers (ACMs) for the United States Army maneuver formations and Cross Functional Teams. In order to be considered credible, experiments must achieve the customer’s experiment objectives and provide valid data that can answer customers questions required to inform decisions. The two critical outputs of the experiments are a Ten Day Executive Summary (EXSUM), which provides senior leaders with initial findings and the experiment Final Report, which answers all of the objectives and learning demands in great detail. The MSB has earned multiple Department of the Army awards for its work. No experimentation partner / customer has ever disputed the findings contained in the EXSUMs or Final Reports. Despite the positive results and use of experiment findings to inform Army decisions, the MSB has been asked by peers in the research community or senior visitors “who accredits your experiments?” The MSB has interpreted this as a question of the validity of its work. The Department of the Army has no individual or organization that accredits simulation-based experimentation. If such an individual or agency existed, how would they accredit an experiment? If the used models and simulations have an accreditation memorandum, as required by Army Regulations, would that serve the purpose? Would other aspects require accreditation? If so, what individual or organization would be qualified to provide an accreditation? The MSB has developed a process to meet the intent of accrediting its experiments. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the accreditation of simulation-based experiments to be used by other Army organizations and Services. The paper will conclude with other potential uses of the methodology and areas for continued development.
Policy, Standards, Management, and Acquisition
A Framework for the Accreditation of Simulation-Based Experiments
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