Abstract
In the Spring of 2024, the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) Simulation Innovation Workshop (SIW) hosted the Director of Digital Engineering, Modeling & Simulation (DEM&S) in OUSD (Research & Engineering), to assess current M&S Standards processes and how they will translate to future M&S standards, to include data, tools and infrastructure. Additionally, the Director, DEM&S commissioned the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to examine current and legacy standards and stakeholder insights to better define the Defense M&S landscape.
Following preliminary research and literature review, IDA sought M&S Stakeholder feedback on best practices, use cases, and insights in several focus areas, to include: roles, responsibilities and governance processes; involvement with Standard Development Organizations (SDO); and standardization activities to include workforce training and education programs. From a stakeholder perspective, IDA sought the depth and breadth of involvement across the acquisition lifecycle, and recommendations on improving awareness, technical gaps, and the prioritization of standardization activities.
A key objective of this study was to capture knowledge and best practices that can be shared with the DEM&S community. Through the course of this effort, including an interim study presentation at the 2025 SISO Simulation Innovation Workshop, the study team found pockets of excellence and best practices across the Service M&S Stakeholder, as well as Defense, Joint, and Allied Partner Stakeholders. In this paper, the study team will further highlight methods to both identify and prioritize gaps, leverage collaboration and innovation initiatives, and standardization activities to streamline processes and improve efficiencies developing capabilities. Ultimately, the DEM&S community will benefit when Defense M&S standards and standardization activities are accessible to a greater audience of practitioners, stakeholder leadership, and developers across industry, academia and standard development organizations.