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Global Force Information Management (GFIM) Program Steps into the Spotlight

By Francis Frank O'BrienOctober 16, 2023

Transforming the Digital Enterprise for Data-Centric Multi-Domain Operations
GFIM OE: Transforming the Digital Enterprise for Data-Centric Multi-Domain Operations
Operation Research professionals from the United States Department of Defense and partner nations engaged in the 61st Army Operations Research Symposium, Sept. 12-14, 2023, in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The symposium provided a forum for sharing information and experience gained from ongoing and recently completed analyses and broadens the perspective of the analytical community. (Photo Credit: (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Futures Command)) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – “The Army of 2030 requires operational data that melds the U.S. Army’s vision and commander’s intent. We call it decision-driven data,” was the future-focused message delivered to the attendees of the 61st annual Operations Research Symposium (AORS) by Lori Mongold, Division Chief, Headquarters, Department of the Army’s Management Office-Strategic Operations Enterprise and GFIM OE Capability Management Officer (CMO) Sept. 12, 2023.

“Learning and Leading in a Data-Centric Army” was the theme of the three-day event which included over 300 attendees. With over 10 presentations, attendees represented more than five organizations including U.S. Army Headquarters and eight working groups. Ms. Mongold spoke about transforming U.S. Army warfighting capabilities to meet the challenges of Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). “Information dominance, part of the Army’s Digital Transformation Strategy (ADTS), will provide leaders accurate data that paints a holistic picture of the Army’s capabilities, readiness, availability and employability, both now and looking into the future. GFIM OE, scheduled to be deployed starting in 2025, is the Secretary of the Army’s number one business priority towards that goal.”

“GFIM OE will be a one-stop shop for data,” Ms. Mongold added, “covering strategy, force structure, readiness…from mobilization all the way through deployment, operations, and redeployment. For a 21st century joint force, leaders at all levels need reliable data that is readily available to make the best decisions.” Mongold went on to use the acronym VAULTIS which means data that is visible, accessible, understandable, linked, trusted, interoperable and secure. Commanders and leaders need data that is reliable, readily available, and provides a complete picture, she added.

Dr. Diana M. Connolly, Director, U.S. Army Office of Analytics Integration and keynote speaker said, "Our senior leaders envision a desired end state in which commanders, operators, and operations research analysts work together to streamline key strategic operational and investment decisions with robust analysis that inform the Army’s war fighting concepts and combat credible capabilities necessary to address critical and emerging threats, and ultimately deter aggression in this enduring era of strategic competition.”

The Army is currently developing the Global Force Information Management Objective Environment (GFIM OE) application as a pathfinder for digital transformation across the force in support of MDO. GFIM OE is the first new-start system to be truly "born in the cloud," and will leverage artificial intelligence, and robotic process automation capabilities to provide the better support the warfighter. Upon delivery, it will provide a cloud-based, integrated, interoperable and transactional enterprise capability that develops the future force, provides the current force, and delivers a common operating picture within a Global Force Management Data Initiative (GFM DI) compliant environment.