The Department of the Navy has issued guidance for the use of adaptive roadmaps for investment decisions and to enhance the process of delivering new capabilities that support warfighters.
The memo was signed by Justin Fanelli and Elizabeth Caswell, the department’s chief technology officer and acting chief services and infrastructure officer, respectively.
Fanelli is one of the guest speakers at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Navy Summit on Aug. 26. Register for the in-person GovCon networking event here.
What Are Adaptive Roadmaps?
According to the memo, adaptive roadmaps aid in strategic and data-driven investment decisions for emerging technologies to enhance mission effectiveness across DON.
Roadmaps must be developed throughout the lifecycle of a capability to guide whether a proposed solution should transition from concept to divestment.
There are three core artifacts of a roadmap per the new guidance: technical investment horizon charts; execution schedules; and doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities and policy, or DOTMLPF-P.
Roadmaps must also include key elements, such as a clear vision and strategy, themes and goals, time horizons, prioritizations based on value and impact, feedback, and reviews and updates.
The memo advised the use of adaptive roadmaps together with investment horizons charts, world class alignment metrics, structured divestment approach and other best practices to rationalize the adoption of new technologies.
