Capability Development Document

A Capability Development Document (CDD) provides operational performance attributes, including supportability, for those responsible for the acquisition of military equipment in the military of the United States. It includes "key performance parameters" (KPPs) and other parameters that guide the development, demonstration, and testing of the current increment. It also outlines the overall strategy for developing full capability. The format for the CDD was formerly spelled out in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01. The most current version is only available online and requires a Common Access Card (CAC) card and an Intelink account. The link is https://www.intelink.gov/wiki/JCIDS_Manual

The description of system capabilities in a CDD follows the identification of operational needs in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). As the system described goes through its design and development phases, and is approved for production, the CDD is followed by a Capabilities Production Document. This is fundamentally the same document, but describes the system as it will be built, not just as it is planned.

Contents

In the words of CJCSM 3170.01, the CDD is "the sponsor’s primary means of defining authoritative, measurable, and testable capabilities needed by the warfighters to support the SDD [System Design and Definition] phase of an acquisition program."

The prescribed format of the CDD is:

Capability discussion 

Describes in general language what the capability is supposed to provide, and cites the relevant ICDs. Discusses the operating environment, and specifically the capability that is realized when doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF) attributes are integrated.

Analysis summary 

A discussion of the objectives of the capability, as well as what respective DOTMLPF attributes are needed.

Concept of operations summary 

Describes how the capability is intended to be used; may contain wording.

Threat summary 

Summarizes any projected threats to the capability, including the nature, tactics, capabilities, etc. of the threat.

Program summary 

Describes the capability acquisition strategy and the relationship of the capability to precursor or follow-on systems.

Key performance parameters 

The bulk of the CDD. Lists each required measure of effectiveness in an objective, measurable, testable way. Lists both "Threshold" (i.e., required) and "Objective" (i.e., desired) performance values.

References

• Defense Acquisition Acronyms and Terms. Eleventh edition. Fort Belvoir: Defense Acquisition University Press,
• United States Department of Defense (May 2007). CJCSM 3170.01, Operation of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System. http://www.dtic.mil/cjcs_directives/cdata/unlimit/m317001.pdf. Retrieved 2008-05-13.