Date of Award

3-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Operations Research

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Shane A. Knighton, PhD

Abstract

This research develops a career field's educational profile through use of the decision analysis approach of value-focused thinking (VFT). VFT is used to solicit the capabilities that the career field manager (CFM) desires its officers obtain from an advanced academic program. This process generates a value hierarchy and a focused set of alternatives (degree programs). The academic programs' content are evaluated against the hierarchy to determine how well it meets the values of the functional area. A rankordered list of degrees is produced and a portfolio of degrees is selected through the use of CFM-approved goal-setting criteria. The specific breakdown of the portfolio into percentages of the force that should attain each degree is then determined through the CFM's specified relative value increments of the goal-setting criteria. The resulting effort creates a guide for CFMs to communicate to their corps on the types of degrees to earn and provides justification for fully-funded degree slots.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GOR-ENS-07-08

DTIC Accession Number

ADA466689

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