6.6.3 The Application of the Learning Cycle in the Royal Australian Navy Class Logistics Offices

An overview of the research and development task established to demonstrate the feasibility of applying numerical tools (based on modelling and simulation) to Royal Australian Navy (RAN) capability management is given. Our focus in this task is on the materiel support aspects of the capability management process that are the responsibility of the RAN Class Logistics Offices in the Defence Materiel Organisation. For example, assistance is required in making decisions in resources allocation, maintenance scheduling, spares optimisation and obsolescence management. A learning cycle, which has its foundation in systems thinking and systems engineering, is introduced in this paper as a mechanism for continuous improvement and informed decision making. Tools and techniques that can be used to assist the activities in the learning cycle are described with appropriate examples. These tools and techniques include statistical analysis, knowledge discovery in databases, decision-making techniques, systems modelling and risk assessment. Also, some conclusions and future directions for this research program are presented.