Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System

1. Purpose
The purpose of this instruction is to establish the policies and procedures of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS). The procedures established in the JCIDS support the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) in identifying, assessing, and prioritizing joint military capability needs as specified in title 10, United States Code, sections 153, 163, 167, and 181 (reference a). Validated and approved JCIDS documents provide a record of the JROC’s advice and assessment in support of these statutory mandates. Additionally, the JCIDS is a key element in CJCS efforts to realize the initiatives directed in reference b. Specific procedures for the operation of the JCIDS and for the development and staffing of JCIDS documents can be found in reference c.

2. Cancellation
CJCSI 3170.01E, 11 May 2005, “Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System” is canceled.

3. Applicability
In accordance with references d, e, and f, this instruction applies to the Joint Staff, Services, combatant commands, Defense agencies, Defense field activities, and all other organizational entities within DOD. This instruction also applies to other agencies preparing and submitting JCIDS documents in accordance with references d, e, and f. This instruction applies to all unclassified, collateral, compartmented, and special access programs.

4. Executive Summary
a. There are three key processes in the Department of Defense that must work in concert to deliver the capabilities required by the warfighters: the requirements process; the acquisition process; and the Planning, Programming, CJCSI Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process. To produce weapon systems that provide the capabilities our warfighters need, these three processes must be aligned to ensure consistent decisions are made. This instruction focuses on the requirements process as implemented in JCIDS.

b. The JCIDS process was created to support the statutory requirements of the JROC to validate and prioritize joint warfighting requirements. JCIDS is also a key supporting process for DOD acquisition and PPBE processes. The primary objective of the JCIDS process is to ensure the joint warfighter receives the capabilities required to successfully execute the missions assigned to them. This is done through an open process that provides the JROC the information they need to make decisions on required capabilities. The requirements process supports the acquisition process by providing validated capabilities and associated performance criteria to be used as a basis for acquiring the right weapon systems. Additionally, it provides the PPBE process with prioritization and affordability advice.