Exploratory Analysis in the Utility of Logistics Planning Software to Logistics Planners at the Division Level

摘要

This monographs examines the ability of the currently available logistics planning software, OPLOGPLAN 98 and the LEW 98, to assist the logistics planner in the creation of division level plans. To define the utility of the logistics planning software, this monograph examines the software's information production capacity and its communication ability. The intent is to determine if logistic planning software communicates critical logistics information to the division logistics planner and if the software helps to integrate logistics into the division planning cycle and division plans. The software analyzed in this monograph is the only currently available logistics planning software, OPLOGPLN 98 and the LEW 98. Logistics planning software is evaluated individually for the software's ability to assist the logistics planner to support division planning and complete division plans using the military decision making process (MDMP). The monograph concludes that OPLOGPLAN 98 and the LEW 98, do not assist the logistics planner in the creation of division level plans. OPLOG and the LEW are models that calculate sustainment factors, not decision models. Both software programs are management information systems, designed to manipulate date and provide statistics. They both also have some elements of decision support systems, which provide analysis of information, but neither helps the logistics planner to frame the problem or define a solution.