1. Guns or Butter: Decision Support for Determining the Size and Shape of the South African National Defense Force.
- Author
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Gryffenberg, Ivan, Lausberg, Jean L., Smit, Willem J., Uys, Stephanus, Botha, Sally, Hofmeyr, F. Rauten, Nicolay, Ruppert P., van der Merwe, Willie L., and Wessels, Gysbert J.
- Subjects
DECISION support systems ,MILITARY readiness ,OPERATIONS research - Abstract
This article discusses the establishment of decision support models for determining the size and shape of the South African National Defence Force. The project team, which included representatives of the military and consultants from Deloitte and Touche Consulting Group, took advantage of the opportunity to restructure their military establishment. The team created the following models: a risk model of the probability and potential impact of various defense contingencies; a growth model of growth potential of force structure elements; a cost model; a mixed-integer-programming model of all the relationships; and a manual model allowing the user to select different tasks and strategies. The project results indicated clear opportunities for major savings.
- Published
- 1997
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