DOTMLPF

DOTMLPF is an acronym used by the United States Department of Defense. DOTMLPF is defined in the The Joint Capabilities Integration Development System, or JCIDS Process. The JCIDS process provides a solution space that considers solutions involving any combination of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF). Since combatant commanders define requirements in consultation with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), they are able to consider gaps in the context of strategic direction for the total US military force and influence the direction of requirements earlier in the acquisition process.

It also serves as a mnemonic for staff planners to consider certain issues prior to undertaking a new effort.
 * Doctrine
 * Organization
 * Training
 * Materiel
 * Leadership
 * Personnel
 * Facilities

Here is an example of how DOTMLPF would be interpreted in the military context:


 * Doctrine: the way we fight, e.g., emphasizing maneuver warfare combined air-ground campaigns.


 * Organization: how we organize to fight; divisions, air wings, Marine-Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs), etc.


 * Training: how we prepare to fight tactically; basic training to advanced individual training, various types of unit training, joint exercises, etc.


 * Materiel: all the “stuff” necessary to equip our forces, that is, weapons, spares, etc. so they can operate effectively.


 * Leadership and education: how we prepare our leaders to lead the fight from squad leader to 4-star general/admiral; professional development.


 * Personnel: availability of qualified people for peacetime, wartime, and various contingency operations


 * Facilities: real property; installations and industrial facilities (e.g. government owned ammunition production facilities) that support our forces.

The idea is to fix the capability gap, and CJCSI 3170.01G – Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, 1 March 2009, is the one governing instruction that encompasses both materiel (requiring new defense acquisition programs) and non-materiel (not requiring new defense acquisition program) solutions.

It is worth noting that NATO uses the same acronym with the same meaning, however NATO has added an "I" to the acronym to make it "DOTMLPFI". The added "I" is for Interoperability: the ability to be interoperable with forces throughout the NATO alliance.