Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 17 INTERVIEW T he Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence are embarking on a digital journey that will pro- vide Canada and Canadian sailors, soldiers, aviators, and Special Forc- es operators with opportunities to ensure that they have the capabilities required to succeed in the battlespace alongside our partners and allies today and into the fu- ture. Vanguard recently had the opportunity to connect with RAdm Jeff Zwick, Chief of SSE Combat Systems Integration, Canadian Armed Forces, and Christiana Cavazzoni, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Information Management, and Deputy Chief Information Officer, De- partment of National Defence about this digital journey. Both have played an in- tegral part in C4ISR and Beyond, a con- ference hosted by Vanguard, that brings stakeholders from industry, military, and government to discuss C4ISR lessons learned, share its technological advance- ment and impact within defence. In their latest presentations at C4ISR and Beyond 2021, RAdm Zwick and Ms. Cavazzoni delved into digital as being the core of C4ISR and delivering digital through partnerships respectively. To car- ry on the conversation, we are delighted to present a round table discussion with these two prominent digital leaders within military and government. Q To begin, please provide an overview of your respective roles and responsibilities. RAdm Jeff Zwick: As Chief of Combat Systems Integration, on behalf of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, I am charged with taking a holistic view of our overall capabilities while focusing on Joint and Pan-Domain capabilities, such as C4ISR, and with aligning some key initiatives, in- cluding digitalization. Christiana Cavazzoni: As Associate ADM IM and deputy CIO, and on behalf of the CIO Len Bastien, I am responsible for the transformation of the IM/IT func- tions that are pivotal to the DND/CAF digital agenda. My focus is primarily on evolving our prioritization governance and digital maturity through architecture principles that will inform the interoper- ability and integration decisions. As the recently appointed Information Systems Design Authority (ISDA) for the depart- ment, I oversee the development and implementation of systems enterprise ar- chitectures designed to build the digital backbone, and lay the foundations for digitalization. Q Both of you have contributed in significant ways at the last C4ISR and Beyond event. What are some of the key takeaways and how do you think these will impact the CAF and DND in their respective roles going forward if implemented? RAdm JZ: My biggest takeaway was that the depth and richness of the discussion is invigorating. It is evident that there is a broad understanding across the partner ecosystem of not only the imperative of taking C4ISR to the next step of wider digitalization, but also of the benefits of taking this challenge on. The desire and the drive to get after this challenge is pal- pable. My second takeaway was that notwith- standing the enthusiasm and drive, every- one is clear-eyed about the challenges that we face – not just with the technology, but equally with culture, processes, and mindset. The challenge of adapting pro- curement processes from a heavy metal waterfall approach to a digital agile ap- proach is also striking. Finally, it has become increasingly clear to me that in this space, DND and CAF must remain indivisible. While there are clearly some differences in the imperatives for change between the operational aspect of our business, and the institutional as- pect, the ultimate goal is enhanced deci- sion-making. In the corporate space this manifests as improved stewardship, in the battle space, as an operational advantage. CC: Digital is a multidimensional change – primarily focused on culture and de- manding sustained leadership attention, and the enabling functions must be able to pivot. It is an organizational change agenda that must be driven by strategic leaders and business owners, and not sim- ply a technology evolution for the CIO to lead. It also calls for strong partnerships at every level, and requires a nuanced view of roles, responsibilities, and authorities. Air Combat Systems Officers. Photo DND

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