3-4 Nov. 2004

Conference addresses challenges of transformation Key links NATO Allied Command Transformation A high-level conference in Calgary, Canada, from 3-4 November, examined the challenges of bridging the gap between developing new concepts and actually creating capabilities that change the way forces operate. The 2004 Concept Development and Experimentation Conference brought together 250 military officers and defence specialists from NATO countries, as well as Australia, Singapore, Sweden, and Finland. As NATO countries change their forces to meet today’s security threats and requirements, the challenge of implementing change can be considerable. "Transformation isn't necessarily just about change," said U.S. Navy Captain Steve Litwiller, Head of the Operational Concept Development Branch at NATO’s Allied Command for Transformation. "It's about transforming the processes by which we implement that change." Participants discussed the factors that come into play when moving from concept to capability, the importance of doctrine and training, and the lessons learned from national and multinational transformation efforts. The conference was co-sponsored by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, which is tasked with taking forward the transformation of the Alliance’s forces and operational capabilities.