Establishing a Foundation for Digital Acquisition Innovation

Goal: Develop and execute pilots and initiatives to develop capability in the area of digital acquisition innovation.

• Better inform (e.g., capability models) for better & faster outcomes
• Mission engineering & portfolio management
• Systems engineering
• Cost estimating
• Requirements generation and contract solicitations/specifications
• Budgeting
• Develop tools to aid program and contract management
• Market research
• Risk management
• Contractor monitoring
• Reports automation
• Feeding Service reporting/oversight systems

DAU, Department of Defense (DoD)

In response to Congressional tasking under the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2022, the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) leveraged VT-ARC to assess the status of the nation’s innovation and emerging technology adoption training programs for Department government civilian, contractor, and active-duty employees.
VT-ARC defined innovation, created a taxonomy and proposed an analytic framework to identify necessary workforce training components. After comparing numerous service-related approaches aimed at getting new innovations into operator hands, we identified recommendations regarding future capability development.

• Identify Operating Environment Considerations
• Clarify Theory of NSW fight regarding the maritime domain, high-end threat, and risk calculus.
• Determine challenges specific to NSW forces. Authorities, and permissions

Sonar Dome Anti-Fouling Tracking and Prediction (Export Controlled STTR)

Objective 1: Demonstrate the feasibility of a prediction tool for anti-fouling life

Objective 2: Create an ontological framework that can integrate and scale into the Navy

Objective 3: Determine the transition path and timeline

Leverage digital engineering to combine Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) provided data, laboratory generated data, and biophysical models to predict anti-foulant life as well as a concept for the physics-based GUI for diffusion from sonar domes.

Partnership with bioengineering company Biointerphase.

Joint Strike Fighter Hyperparameter Optimization

The goal of this program is two-fold.

1. Develop tools and metrics that leverage Machine Learning (ML) and classical techniques to perform anomaly detection, cause and effect analysis, trend analysis, and pattern recognition that will enable faster and more comprehensive analysis on large volumes of test data on platforms such as the F-35 and F-22.
2. Develop and then transition computer software tool prototypes and software documentation to integrate effectively with government existing T&E environment.

Project MAVEN and Project Minotaur

Model-Based Simulation Design and Human Machine Teaming (HMT) Performance Assessment

• Developed new mission engineering techniques that provided detailed operational workflows to recommend and rapidly integrate emerging AI capabilities and processes.
• Recommended future technical development cycles and TTPs for simulations and real-world operations.
• Developed simulated EO/SAR data on MAVEN to test imagery scoring algorithms and hierarchical AI/ML models

Prototype Decision Support Tool Comprehensive decision support tool using data fusion and AI/ML models to provide situational awareness of threat-related technology developments.

First introduced in 1987, modern design thinking was popularized by the Stanford Design School and the global design and innovation company, IDEO. ¹ Design thinking is now recognized as a “way of thinking which leads to transformation, evolution and innovation” ² and has been so widely accepted universities, including Stanford and the University of Potsdam, offer graduate degrees in the discipline. Related to design thinking, Liberating Structures, are “simple and concrete tools that can enhance group performance in diverse organizational settings.” ³ Open thinking, popularized by Dan Pontefract, ⁴ provides a comprehensive approach to decision-making that incorporates critical and creative thinking techniques. Founded in these the principles from each of these approaches, the Decision Science Division (DSD) of Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation human centered design approach employs tailored problem framing, innovative solution discovery, and creative adaptability to harness collaborative analytic potential, overcome the limitations of cognitive biases, and lead change. ⁵ DSD applies this approach to complex and wicked challenges to deliver solutions that address implementation challenges and diverse stakeholder requirements. This experiential session will provide attendees with some basic human centered design facilitation tools and an understanding of how these techniques might be applied across a multitude of technical and non-technical projects.

_{1 Brown, Tim. Harv Bus Rev. 2008 Jun;86(6):84-92, 141.
2 Tschimmel, Katja. “Design Thinking as an effective Toolkit for Innovation.” ISPIM Conference Proceedings. The International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM), 2012.
3 Singhal, Arvind, et al. “Liberating structures as pedagogical innovation for inclusive learning: A pilot study in a Norwegian university.” Journal of Creative Communications 15.1 (2020): 35-52.
4 Pontefract, D. (2018). Open to think: Slow Down, think creatively, and make better decisions. Figure 1 Publishing Inc.
5 Based on Kotter, J. P. (2012). Leading change. Harvard Business School Press.}