Using EPIC to Find Conflicts, Inconsistencies, and Gaps in Department of Defense Policies.

摘要

This report presents a new technique that can be used by analysts to efficiently and effectively analyze large bodies of policies to identify potential conflicts, gaps, and overlaps in the roles and responsibilities (R&R) assigned to defense executives. This report describes the technique, which is composed of a framework and a methodology. It also describes a software-based tool developed by RAND that automates one step in the methodology. The report presents three case studies conducted using the new approach. This study builds on a previous effort that examined the R&R of defense acquisition executives and chief information officers (CIOs).1 As in the previous study, R&R is defined as an activity, function, task, duty, job, or action assigned to a Department of Defense (DoD) official by an authoritative source. Authoritative sources of DoD R&R are federal law; Office of Management and Budget circulars and other issuances; Executive Orders; agency guidance documents, including DoD directives, instructions, and memoranda; and non-DoD policies and issuances.2 The new capability developed in this study will enhance analysts ability to detect areas of potential conflict and alert policymakers to effect the necessary clarifications.