Alternative Analysis – What is it?

February 12, 2024 – Defence Stories

The NATO definition for Alternative Analysis is the deliberate application of independent critical thought and alternative perspective to improve decision-making. It offers commanders and staff the ability to supplement existing decision-making processes by thoughtfully incorporating different views and mindsets to enrich understanding, enhance creativity, and support better-informed decisions.

Taken from best practices across industry and academia, Alternative Analysis techniques are a key capability in tackling the complex challenges posed by the current and future security environment. Alternative Analysis techniques can be applied widely, from simple challenges facing individuals, to large, intricate problems encountered by organizations.

As part of its mandate to provide joint warfare concept development and analysis, the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre (CJWC) located at the Shirley Bay campus in Ottawa, Ontario acts as a centre of expertise for Alternative Analysis, one of several knowledge-based capabilities that reside in the Joint Research and Analysis Branch.

Alternative Analysis Process

The CJWC uses NATO’s four-step Alternative Analysis Process, composed of:

1. Initiation: Define the Problem
2. Preparation: Identify Outcomes and Techniques
3. Application: Conduct Analysis
4. Termination: Provide Results

Application

Alternative Analysis is designed to be flexible and can be applied to any problem, from supporting a single staff officer to complex decisions involving the entire defence enterprise.

When deciding to use this capability, consider that Alternative Analysis:

1. Works best when engaged early;
2. Can be tailored to organizational needs;
3. Can be applied individually, or in groups;
4. Can either be facilitated, or used to conduct and provide external analysis;
5. Should be viewed as complementing existing functions, not replacing them; and
6. Should be viewed as supporting problem-solving as opposed to providing solutions.

Key Benefits

Alternative Analysis can be used to help:

1. Identify / organize facts, problems, ideas;
2. Overcome biases and fixed thinking to promote idea generation;
3. Test hypotheses, examine reasoning, and   assess evidence;
4. Evaluate courses of action;
5. Identify and diagnose potential flaws;
6. Challenge current thinking and critique existing models, beliefs or conventions.

Alternative Analysis is not adversarial and is always conducted with the intent of improving understanding and helping to develop decision-quality information.

The CJWC teaches the Alternative Analysis course twice a year and it is advertised through a CANFORGEN for those who are interested in learning more.