Case Study
Case Study
DAPSE 3.0: Modernizing DoD Strategic Planning Through Partnership
How NSI, i3CA, and i3solutions Replaced Legacy Spreadsheets with a Secure, Mission-Aligned Planning Platform for the Department of Defense
Building a Mission-Focused Partnership
DAPSE 3.0 began as a strategic vision from NSI – to modernize their spreadsheet-based deterrence model into a dynamic, secure, and operationally relevant platform. But to bring that vision to life, NSI needed partners with both mission fluency and technical depth. That’s where the unique collaboration between NSI, i3CA and i3solutions came in. NSI brought the foundational research, behavioral models, and original deterrence planning framework that shaped the core of DAPSE 3.0. i3CA provided the operational expertise and strategic alignment required for defense planning at the highest levels, while i3solutions delivered the full-stack technical execution needed to make it real. Together, the three organizations created a powerful, scalable solution that now supports national security stakeholders across domains. It’s a solution built on more than technology. It’s the result of a uniquely effective partnership between mission, strategy, and execution.
The Customer andTheir Challenge
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) faced growing urgency to modernize its approach to strategic deterrence and influence operations. Existing planning tools were limited to static Microsoft Word documents and siloed spreadsheets, which severely hampered cross-agency collaboration, real-time situational awareness, and operational adaptability. This analog process could not keep pace with the evolving nature of global threats, including multi-domain competition, nuclear-capable near-peer adversaries, and gray-zone influence campaigns.
These challenges were most visible in the original version of the Deterrence and Assurance Planning Support Environment (DAPSE), originally developed by NSI s a spreadsheet-based framework grounded in academic research and behavioral theory to support deterrence planning. Planning teams lacked the ability to share insights efficiently, visualize complex actor relationships, or track progress dynamically. Moreover, any attempts at cross-organizational coordination were delayed by version control issues, redundant data entry, and an absence of integrated analytical tools. To address this, NSI partnered with i3CA to lead the strategic modernization of the DAPSE framework. i3CA brought in i3solutions to execute the technical transformation, delivering a secure, scalable digital platform to support multi-agency coordination, real-time data fusion, and modern decision support. NSI selected i3CA and i3solutions for their unique ability to translate national security strategy into actionable digital systems – combining deep subject matter expertise with enterprise-grade technical delivery.
The Customer and
Their Challenge
Ready to build an intelligence platform that works the way your mission thinks?
Legacy planning models weren’t built for today’s pace of decision-making. Whether you’re managing influence operations, multi-agency coordination, or strategic planning frameworks, i3CA and i3solutions can help you modernize with a secure, web-based solution that reflects both your mission and your operational reality. Our integrated team brings together strategy, architecture, and engineering to turn complex planning requirements into scalable, digital platforms.
DAPSE 3.0: From Static Spreadsheets to an Integrated Web Application
i3CA, in collaboration with NSI, led the modernization of DAPSE 3.0 by fusing decades of strategic planning expertise with secure, scalable digital design. Drawing on deep experience supporting influence operations and civil affairs planning, i3CA provided the operational leadership and strategic vision for the effort. To bring the technical vision to life, i3CA engaged i3solutions to design and implement the platform’s web-based architecture. The result is a modular system tailored to the needs of strategic planners across the Department of Defense and allied organizations. Hosted in the Microsoft Azure Government Cloud, the solution digitizes the entire planning lifecycle – from defining deterrence objectives to tracking influence operations – while meeting DoD-grade security, scalability, and performance standards.
With guidance from i3CA, i3solutions built the front-end of DAPSE 3.0 using Angular, with a .NET Core backend powering the application logic and data processing. This architecture provides a responsive, user-friendly interface that supports sequential workflows, embedded references, and role-based access control. Users can enter objectives, assess progress, and generate reports via guided planning modules aligned to an integrated deterrence framework. Export capabilities to PDF and Word allow seamless integration into briefing and documentation workflows.
To overcome legacy limitations, i3solutions implemented a hybrid data architecture that combines SQL Server for structured storage and Neo4j graph databases for complex relationship mapping. This enables users to visualize the connections between actors, events, objectives, and other key planning elements. Real-time data ingestion from external sources, including the START Global Terrorism Database (GTD), GDELT, and user inputs, is facilitated through secure APIs, ensuring planners have access to the most current and comprehensive information available.
The success of DAPSE 3.0 reflects the tight collaboration between NSI, i3CA, and i3solutions. NSI provided the foundational framework and research lineage; i3CA operationalized that strategy through structured planning models and mission-context alignment; and i3solutions engineered the supporting technology to deliver it at scale. This partnership ensured every capability – technical and strategic – was purpose-built to serve Joint Force
Machine learning capabilities further enhance the platform, enabling pattern recognition, behavioral prediction, and strategic recommendation generation. These insights help users assess risks, evaluate potential outcomes, and adjust plans accordingly. An Agile development process ensured iterative delivery, incorporating feedback from operational testing and Joint Force planners to continuously enhance usability, reliability, and alignment with evolving mission needs.
The secure cloud-based infrastructure was deployed in Microsoft’s IL-4 and IL-6 environments, ensuring compliance with DoD security protocols. i3solutions implemented continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, automated system monitoring, and security measures including multi-factor authentication, encrypted data transfers, and full adherence to the DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF). Security documentation such as System Security Plans (SSPs) and vulnerability test results were delivered to support Authority to Operate (ATO) approvals.
Operationally, DAPSE 3.0 has significantly advanced the DoD’s planning capabilities. The move from analog systems to a modern, cloud-native platform eliminated redundant manual steps, improved data integrity, and enables real-time collaboration across commands and agencies. The system’s interactive dashboards and visual indicators provide clear operational insight, allowing stakeholders to track progress across lines of effort and understand how individual actions support broader influence campaigns.
Modular architecture allows rapid iteration, customization, and deployment of new features without service interruption. The system’s ability to support distributed teams across multiple theaters ensures it can scale with mission demands. With ongoing support from i3solutions, including post-deployment updates, user training, and cybersecurity patching, DAPSE 3.0 continues to evolve as a high-impact planning and decision-support environment. It empowers the Joint Force with the clarity, agility, and coordination needed to advance national security objectives in a complex and rapidly changing world.
With i3CA guiding alignment to operational goals and i3solutions executing delivery, DAPSE 3.0 has significantly advanced the DoD’s planning capabilities. Together, NSI, i3CA and i3solutions delivered a system that fuses technical precision with operational clarity to empower planners to act decisively in complex, multi-domain environments.
Technologies Used In The Solution
.NET
NET powers the DAPSE 3.0 platform’s back end, delivering fast, secure, and scalable performance for mission-critical operations. Its native AOT compilation, enhanced diagnostics, and improved memory management enable efficient data processing and responsive system logic. Built for enterprise-grade reliability, .NET provides the modularity and robustness required to support complex planning workflows in a secure DoD environment.
SQL Server
DAPSE 3.0 relies on SQL Server to manage structured data with enterprise-grade reliability, security, and performance. It supports complex queries, transactional integrity, and scalable storage for mission-critical datasets. SQL Server’s robust indexing, reporting, and integration capabilities ensure that planners can access, analyze, and act on the information they need – quickly and accurately – within a secure and controlled environment.
Azure SQL Server
DAPSE 3.0 leverages Azure SQL Server to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance relational data management in the cloud. With built-in high availability, automated backups, and intelligent performance tuning, Azure SQL Server ensures mission-critical data is always accessible and protected. Its seamless integration with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem supports real-time analytics, role-based access controls, and efficient data operations – enabling planners to work confidently with structured data across distributed environments.
Entity Framework
DAPSE 3.0 utilizes Entity Framework to streamline data access and accelerate development through a robust object-relational mapping (ORM) approach. By enabling developers to interact with Azure SQL Server using strongly typed .NET objects, Entity Framework reduces boilerplate code and improves maintainability. Its support for LINQ queries, change tracking, and migration management ensures efficient, secure, and scalable data operations – allowing rapid iteration without compromising consistency or performance across the platform.
React
i3solutions incorporated React within select modular components of the DAPSE 3.0 platform to support flexibility and rapid interface prototyping. In later-phase enhancements and adjacent prototypes within the DAPSE 3.0 ecosystem, React has been used to develop lightweight, responsive UI widgets and admin tools that allow Joint Force users to interact with real-time data inputs, dashboards, and scenario simulations. React’s component-based model enables quick customization for evolving mission requirements, supporting rapid iteration without destabilizing core platform functions.
Secure APIs & External Data Integration
Robust APIs allow DAPSE 3.0 to securely ingest structured and unstructured data from diverse sources such as the Global Terrorism Database (START GTD), GDELT, actor-interest tables, and live user inputs. These data pipelines feed real-time intelligence into the system, providing planners with timely, cross-domain situational awareness. Data fusion capabilities ensure that all sources are integrated cohesively, enabling a single operational picture across planning environments.
Machine Learning & Data Analytics
i3solutions deployed machine learning models to identify patterns, streamline data categorization, and generate recommendations aligned with strategic planning objectives. These models enable automated assessments of plan completeness, actor behavior, and influence effectiveness. Over time, usage analytics and ML feedback loops help refine workflows, improve user outcomes, and increase the accuracy of risk assessments and scenario forecasting.
Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
DAPSE 3.0 leverages CI/CD pipelines to streamline software updates, reduce downtime, and improve responsiveness to user feedback. This allows new features, security patches, and system optimizations to be rolled out with minimal disruption. Integrated monitoring and automated testing ensure the system remains reliable and scalable, even under evolving mission demands.
Microsoft Azure Government Cloud
Hosted in Microsoft’s IL-4 and IL-6 compliant Azure Government Cloud, DAPSE 3.0 benefits from a secure, resilient cloud infrastructure tailored for federal workloads. The platform’s cloud-first architecture enables distributed collaboration across regions and agencies, supports high availability, and allows for seamless deployment of updates through virtualized environments and CI/CD pipelines – all while maintaining strict DoD cybersecurity and data sovereignty requirements.
Cybersecurity Frameworks (STIGs, MFA, RMF Compliance)
Security is foundational to the DAPSE 3.0 platform. i3solutions implemented DoD-approved cybersecurity practices including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs). Full alignment with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) supports system accreditation (ATO) for IL-4 and IL-6 environments. Security controls were embedded throughout the lifecycle, from design and development through deployment and continuous monitoring.
Technologies Used In The Solution
.NET
NET powers the DAPSE 3.0 platform’s back end, delivering fast, secure, and scalable performance for mission-critical operations. Its native AOT compilation, enhanced diagnostics, and improved memory management enable efficient data processing and responsive system logic. Built for enterprise-grade reliability, .NET 9 provides the modularity and robustness required to support complex planning workflows in a secure DoD environment.
SQL Server
DAPSE 3.0 relies on SQL Server to manage structured data with enterprise-grade reliability, security, and performance. It supports complex queries, transactional integrity, and scalable storage for mission-critical datasets. SQL Server’s robust indexing, reporting, and integration capabilities ensure that planners can access, analyze, and act on the information they need – quickly and accurately – within a secure and controlled environment.
Azure SQL Server
DAPSE 3.0 leverages Azure SQL Server to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance relational data management in the cloud. With built-in high availability, automated backups, and intelligent performance tuning, Azure SQL Server ensures mission-critical data is always accessible and protected. Its seamless integration with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem supports real-time analytics, role-based access controls, and efficient data operations – enabling planners to work confidently with structured data across distributed environments.
Entity Framework
DAPSE 3.0 utilizes Entity Framework to streamline data access and accelerate development through a robust object-relational mapping (ORM) approach. By enabling developers to interact with Azure SQL Server using strongly typed .NET objects, Entity Framework reduces boilerplate code and improves maintainability. Its support for LINQ queries, change tracking, and migration management ensures efficient, secure, and scalable data operations – allowing rapid iteration without compromising consistency or performance across the platform.
React
i3solutions incorporated React within select modular components of the DAPSE 3.0 platform to support flexibility and rapid interface prototyping. In later-phase enhancements and adjacent prototypes within the DAPSE 3.0 ecosystem, React has been used to develop lightweight, responsive UI widgets and admin tools that allow Joint Force users to interact with real-time data inputs, dashboards, and scenario simulations. React’s component-based model enables quick customization for evolving mission requirements, supporting rapid iteration without destabilizing core platform functions.
Secure APIs & External Data Integration
Robust APIs allow DAPSE 3.0 to securely ingest structured and unstructured data from diverse sources such as the Global Terrorism Database (START GTD), GDELT, actor-interest tables, and live user inputs. These data pipelines feed real-time intelligence into the system, providing planners with timely, cross-domain situational awareness. Data fusion capabilities ensure that all sources are integrated cohesively, enabling a single operational picture across planning environments.
Machine Learning & Data Analytics
i3solutions deployed machine learning models to identify patterns, streamline data categorization, and generate recommendations aligned with strategic planning objectives. These models enable automated assessments of plan completeness, actor behavior, and influence effectiveness. Over time, usage analytics and ML feedback loops help refine workflows, improve user outcomes, and increase the accuracy of risk assessments and scenario forecasting.
Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
DAPSE 3.0 leverages CI/CD pipelines to streamline software updates, reduce downtime, and improve responsiveness to user feedback. This allows new features, security patches, and system optimizations to be rolled out with minimal disruption. Integrated monitoring and automated testing ensure the system remains reliable and scalable, even under evolving mission demands.
Microsoft Azure Government Cloud
Hosted in Microsoft’s IL-4 and IL-6 compliant Azure Government Cloud, DAPSE 3.0 benefits from a secure, resilient cloud infrastructure tailored for federal workloads. The platform’s cloud-first architecture enables distributed collaboration across regions and agencies, supports high availability, and allows for seamless deployment of updates through virtualized environments and CI/CD pipelines—all while maintaining strict DoD cybersecurity and data sovereignty requirements.
Cybersecurity Frameworks (STIGs, MFA, RMF Compliance)
Security is foundational to the DAPSE 3.0 platform. i3solutions implemented DoD-approved cybersecurity practices including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), data encryption, vulnerability assessments, and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs). Full alignment with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) supports system accreditation (ATO) for IL-4 and IL-6 environments. Security controls were embedded throughout the lifecycle, from design and development through deployment and continuous monitoring.
Measurable Benefits and Strategic Impact
01
Accelerated Strategic Planning
DAPSE 3.0 replaced manual workflows with a fully digitized platform, dramatically reducing the time required to develop, revise, and share strategic plans. Automated tracking, embedded references, and centralized data inputs eliminate bottlenecks and streamline collaboration across commands and agencies. Planners can now respond to shifting mission requirements in real time, enabling faster coordination across theaters and decision cycles.
02
Improved Decision Clarity
By visualizing relationships between actors, objectives, and events, DAPSE 3.0 empowers planners to assess risks and dependencies with precision. Graph-based analytics and real-time dashboards ensure decision-makers have clear, actionable insights to guide complex influence campaigns. This clarity supports more confident, data-informed decisions at every level of planning – from tactical execution to strategic alignment.
03
Integrated Cross-Domain Intelligence
DAPSE 3.0 fuses internal and external data, from user inputs to live feeds like GTD and GDELT, into a single operational picture. This integration enables planners to contextualize threats and opportunities across geopolitical, cyber, informational, and military domains. As a result, influence operations can be assessed and adjusted with a full-spectrum view of the evolving security environment.
04
Secure Collaboration at Scale
Delivered on Microsoft’s IL-4 and IL-6 compliant Azure Government Cloud, DAPSE 3.0 supports distributed teams working across multiple commands and classification levels. Role-based access, MFA, and encrypted data workflows ensure both flexibility and security. This allows mission-critical coordination to happen securely -anytime, anywhere – without compromising speed or compliance.
05
Mission-Aligned Operational Tools
DAPSE 3.0 provides planners with tailored interfaces and structured workflows that reflect strategic influence models, not just technical capabilities. The platform is purpose-built for deterrence and influence planning, aligning with modern Joint Force operational frameworks. This ensures that every feature directly supports the way the military plans, evaluates, and executes strategic objectives in the real world.
06
Powered by Integrated Expertise
DAPSE 3.0 was delivered by a uniquely qualified team – NSI, i3CA, and i3solutions – combining behavioral science, mission strategy, and technical execution. No other partnership offered the integrated expertise required to transform a conceptual deterrence model into a secure, scalable platform for real-world planning and influence operations. As a result, the Department of Defense now has a mission-aligned digital environment that accelerates planning, improves coordination, and adapts to evolving strategic demands.
Measurable Benefits and Strategic Impact
01
Accelerated Strategic Planning
DAPSE 3.0 replaced manual workflows with a fully digitized platform, dramatically reducing the time required to develop, revise, and share strategic plans. Automated tracking, embedded references, and centralized data inputs eliminate bottlenecks and streamline collaboration across commands and agencies. Planners can now respond to shifting mission requirements in real time, enabling faster coordination across theaters and decision cycles.
02
Improved Decision Clarity
By visualizing relationships between actors, objectives, and events, DAPSE 3.0 empowers planners to assess risks and dependencies with precision. Graph-based analytics and real-time dashboards ensure decision-makers have clear, actionable insights to guide complex influence campaigns. This clarity supports more confident, data-informed decisions at every level of planning – from tactical execution to strategic alignment.
03
Integrated Cross-Domain Intelligence
DAPSE 3.0 fuses internal and external data, from user inputs to live feeds like GTD and GDELT, into a single operational picture. This integration enables planners to contextualize threats and opportunities across geopolitical, cyber, informational, and military domains. As a result, influence operations can be assessed and adjusted with a full-spectrum view of the evolving security environment.
04
Secure Collaboration at Scale
Delivered on Microsoft’s IL-4 and IL-6 compliant Azure Government Cloud, DAPSE 3.0 supports distributed teams working across multiple commands and classification levels. Role-based access, MFA, and encrypted data workflows ensure both flexibility and security. This allows mission-critical coordination to happen securely—anytime, anywhere—without compromising speed or compliance.
05
Mission-Aligned Operational Tools
DAPSE 3.0 provides planners with tailored interfaces and structured workflows that reflect strategic influence models, not just technical capabilities. The platform is purpose-built for deterrence and influence planning, aligning with modern Joint Force operational frameworks. This ensures that every feature directly supports the way the military plans, evaluates, and executes strategic objectives in the real world.
06
Powered by Integrated Expertise
DAPSE 3.0 was delivered by a uniquely qualified team—NSI, i3CA, and i3solutions—combining behavioral science, mission strategy, and technical execution. No other partnership offered the integrated expertise required to transform a conceptual deterrence model into a secure, scalable platform for real-world planning and influence operations. As a result, the Department of Defense now has a mission-aligned digital environment that accelerates planning, improves coordination, and adapts to evolving strategic demands.
About the Strategic Partnership
NSI initiated the effort with a vision to modernize their deterrence and assurance planning model. They contributed the foundational research, behavioral science, and analytic frameworks that underpinned the original version of DAPSE.
i3CA was brought in to translate that strategic vision into a scalable planning model aligned with real-world defense priorities. With deep experience in civil affairs, integrated influence, and multi-domain operations, i3CA ensured the solution would resonate with planners across the Joint Force.
i3solutions served as the technical partner, designing and building the secure, cloud-native web platform. Their team delivered the full technology stack – architecture, development, security, deployment, and ongoing enhancement – ensuring the tool met IL-4/IL-6 requirements and evolved through Agile feedback loops.
Together, these organizations combined strategic foresight, mission fluency, and technical excellence to deliver a transformative solution that now supports real-time decision-making across commands and agencies.
This partnership model is replicable. Whether you’re a policy shop, research institution, or federal agency with a bold idea and no in-house development team, i3CA and i3solutions offer a trusted, integrated approach for turning strategic concepts into operational systems.