What shift did the adoption of JCIDS allow the DoD to make?

The adoption of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) was a significant transformation for the Department of Defense (DoD) as it emphasized a capabilities-based approach to requirements generation and acquisition. This shift from threat-based to capabilities-based requirements means that the focus is on what capabilities the military needs to effectively perform its missions rather than solely identifying specific threats and responding to them.

In practice, capabilities-based planning allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the needs of military operations, ensuring that a wide range of potential future scenarios is taken into account. This method encourages a broader view of requirements, enabling the DoD to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances, rather than being restricted to predetermined threats or adversary capabilities, which might not fully capture the complexities of modern warfare.

This approach facilitates a more flexible and strategic way of thinking about military development, encouraging a focus on achieving desired military outcomes rather than just addressing existing problems, which can lead to more effective and relevant military capabilities.