Defence Research – Systems Thinking for AI-Enabled Planning
Overview
Overview
In a major defence research and technology programme, Aperture Strategy provided operational design expertise to help define how Artificial Intelligence could support future military planning and decision-making. Our Four Frames methodology was applied both to guide the engagement and to redesign the planning process itself for the complexity of modern operations.
Key Challenges
The programme sought to apply AI to the operational-level planning process – a deeply human activity grounded in doctrine. The challenge was not just to replicate current practice, but to evolve it for today’s complex, multi-domain environment. Success required reconciling doctrinal structure with systems thinking and machine intelligence.
Aperture Strategy Solution
Aperture used its Four Frames methodology on two levels: to coordinate multidisciplinary collaboration and to adapt AJP-5 doctrine into a systems-based planning framework. We modelled the operational planning process using historical examples, including Operation HUSKY, creating authentic artefacts for AI experimentation. This dual-level approach bridged the gap between operational art and emerging technology, creating the conceptual foundation for human–AI collaboration in future command environments.
“Aperture helped us bridge the gap between traditional planning and systems thinking - creating a model for how humans and machines can think and decide together.”
- Defence Programme Technical Lead
Benefits and Return on Investment
The project delivered a validated systems-based adaptation of operational planning doctrine, integrating systems thinking with AI experimentation. It strengthened understanding between defence practitioners and technologists, accelerating innovation and setting the foundation for next-generation command and control research.
