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collection that focuses on insider knowledge as well as trian- Phase I (Preparatory)
gulation from multiple data sources. These other data sources The CBB process for SOF would begin with a request from the
can include, but are not limited to, experienced SOF Oper- SOF CF Operator and unit community. Before the workshop
ators, cadre and training managers, unit productivity and would take place, a CBB site team would be formed consist-
business reports, CF-specific health and disease trends, P&H ing of Operator CF SMEs, CF leadership, and members from
assets, and TFF domain subject matter experts (SMEs). In- the embedded P&H team. This CBB project team then works
stead of aiming to illuminate “universal truths,” RQI (as it is collaboratively with external TFF domain SMEs to prepare
applied here) is used to find population specific truths and un- for the on-site workshop. The value of RQI is significantly im-
derstanding that can inform local decision makers who have proved with intensive preparation before the workshop itself
to make high-stakes decisions and often do not have the lux- to ensure TFF domain SMEs can ask informed questions on-
ury of waiting for the results from lengthy research endeavors site and collaborating and participating CF and unit members
to make those decisions. 15 are prepared for the workshop process. Preparation includes
establishing relationships with members of the unit-based CBB
It is important to note that the CBB is designed to highlight project team, examining the CF occupation, culture, and unit
overarching human P&H priorities by CF, on the basis of CTs mission requirements, building a CF task list that is represen-
performed within their unit and the occupational risks they tative of all the tasks CF Operators are required to perform
may experience as a result of performing those CTs. These within their unit, and summarizing CF health and disease
priorities can provide stakeholders with agreed-upon targets trends related to the performance of these tasks.
and benchmarks for P&H service delivery. The CBB is not
designed to be a comprehensive exploration of every perfor- Phase II (Conducted On-Site)
mance demand or occupational risk associated with CF tasks According to HPO tenets 1 and 3, critical tasks become the
or an exhaustive examination of the various dimensions of focal point for establishing SOF Operator CFs and service-de-
performance needs (e.g., how much strength, endurance, or livery targets across the spectrum of human P&H. Therefore,
attention a task might require). Because SOF unit mission sets, the CBB blueprint has CF critical tasks as its foundation. Al-
operational environments, and contexts vary even among the though CFs may have common training doctrine across mul-
same CF at different units, priorities highlighted in each CBB tiple sites, it is essential to begin the mapping process with a
should be considered specific to a SOF unit and Operator CF critical task list that represents the mission sets at a particular
with the potential for crossover (Figure 1). time, unit, and installation. This ensures identified tasks are
current, particularly for CFs that rapidly evolve in response to
FIGURE 1 A representation of the Human Performance operational demands. For instance, in the Air Force, tasks for a
Optimization (HPO) Total Force Fitness (TFF) Capabilities-Based particular CF or occupation are captured in their Career Field
Blueprint Workshop and Targeting System, which operationalizes
HPO and its four tenets. TFF priority areas may vary from each Education and Training Plan (CFETP). For a variety of rea-
career field and unit community to another. sons, ranging from evolving unit-based operational demands
to advancements in technology, the tasks listed can quickly
become outdated or obsolete. As a result, it is not uncommon
that tasks currently being performed by CF Operators are not
contained in their CFETP but rather maintained at the unit
level to meet mission demands.

The purpose of phase II is twofold: identifying CF mission crit-
ical tasks and operational metrics, and designing simulations
to observe and elucidate human P&H factors associated with
these tasks. The first step in phase II is to identify mission
critical tasks from the perspective of experienced CF SMEs on
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MTF, military treatment facility; SME, subject matter expert. site. Adapting the work of Mattie et al. on the Technique for
Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts
(TRIAGE), CF SMEs who participate in the workshop are se-
Operationalizing the Four Tenets of HPO
lected on the basis of:
The CBB is a CBPR process that consists of five phases. Each
phase builds on the preceding phase to identify and construct a • Being recognized within their professional community
blueprint of CF CTs, unit METLs, and CF community knowl- as a SME
edge. The outputs of each phase are included in a blueprint • Exceling in their CF
(final report) coauthored by participating CF SMEs and the • Being on full-duty status and qualified to sit missions
unit community, along with select installation stakeholders. • Being current in job-related training and qualifications
The five phases are informed by the four foundational tenets • Achieving a mid-level experience rating (e.g., USAF
of HPO to focus the workshop and resulting targeting system 7-Level Craftsman)
report on supporting SOF Operator mission readiness. It is • Having a broad range of job experiences
important to note that for the purpose of this article, a SOF • Having deployment or deployed-in-place (combat or
Operator’s mission readiness is defined as a state of readiness combat-support operations) experience
in which the SOF Operator can sustain an optimal level of • Having achieved a certain rank (e.g., E6 to E9/0-3 to
performance of their CT (in and out of combat), while equally 0-6).
preserving their health and wellness over a career lifespan.
This definition should not be confused with each Service’s cur- Ideally, participating CF SMEs should be drawn from men and
rent medical readiness standards. women. In addition, in line with the work of Blacklock et al.,
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