US Army Joint Munitions Command Debuts Data Analytics Framework

The U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command has adopted a data continuum framework to support decision-making by defining types of data analytics based on complexity.

The framework breaks data analytics down into descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive approaches. Selecting the proper method depends on the issue being addressed, available timelines and the desired action, the Army said.

Descriptive analytics, the framework’s starting point, relies on studying historical data to answer what happened in the past. JMC presents the results of such an analysis through visualizations and couples the approach with business intelligence tools.

One application of descriptive analytics within the command is in munition management.

Diagnostic analytics, meanwhile, involves the interpretation of the story presented by the descriptive approach. It seeks to answer the reason behind trends and patterns.

With predictive analytics, JMC aims to forecast potential outcomes using algorithms and statistical models to enhance agility and preparation. Ryan Senkbile, the command’s distribution chief, noted that the approach has been used to determine optimum stock levels at ammunition supply points.

Prescriptive analytics, the most complex approach in the data continuum framework, involves recommending decisive actions to address a problem.