DEVCOM - Regulations and Procedures

This is the Document Release Information
Article Number:	7CAV-DR-055
Scope:	The Development Command Regulations & Procedures
Version:	1.0
Effective Date:	22JUN25
Last Modified Date:	26AUG25
Approving Authority:	Regimental Reserve & Development Commander
Point of Contact:	DEVCOM 1IC

Development Command Regulations & Procedures

The Development Command is the organisation responsible for the identification, planning, launch and support of new Areas of Operation in the 7th Cavalry Regiment. This page lays out the Command Intent and delivery mechanisms by which the Department operates at a high level, upon which subordinate procedures and responsibilities are placed to meet these regulations.

Mission

The mission of the Reserve & Development Commander is to:

1. Through DEVCOM: Generate new Areas of Operation which are aligned with the 7th Cavalry's values, aims and objectives by means of a Starter Platoon delivery mechanism.
2. Through ACD: Sustain and grow those Areas of Operation which show initial success and growth by operationalizing them as a Line Unit Company.
3. Through Reserves: Sustain and ensure compliance of Reservists to our minimum requirements.

The Reserve & Development Commander is "Accountable" to the Regimental Executive Officer and Regimental Commanding Officer for the successful execution of these missions.

Intent

To achieve the first mission, the intent of the Reserve & Development Commander is to ensure that DEVCOM operates according to a regular and easily understood process for the identification, planning, launch and support of new Areas of Operation in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.

By utilising a clear and publicly declared process all chains of command, including secondary and regimental departments can engage with the Commander's intent and ensure that the process undergoes continuous improvement as we learn from experience game-to-game.

The DEVCOM 1IC is accountable to the Reserve & Development Commander for achieving his intent.

Stages

The stages of the process of new game development are illustrated graphically to the right. They are supported by this "header" procedure which explains how these procedures work together to achieve the intent and mission of the department. They are further supported by the Roles and Responsibilities of the department which apply throughout the development process. The Blue section of the graphic indicates pre-launch games. The Green section indicates launched games which have an operational chain of command, reporting to a DEVCOM Lead as a de-facto Platoon Leader.

Minimum Requirements for Accountability Note

All roles require accountability in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment. This department achieves this through the tracking of Accountability using the explicitly defined Roles and Responsibilities and the tasks contained therein. The DEVCOM 2IC is responsible for monitoring the Accountability of the whole department, providing a summary in the monthly report.

Description and Sequence of the Game Development Process

All new-games in the 7th Cavalry Regiment start life as an "idea".

In 7CAV-DR-057, "ideas" are converted to researched games. The Future Concepts Centre (FCC) determines whether a game is viable based on IN and OUT conditions for suitability. An exhaustive list of considerations is listed in the process, but indicatively, this can include Daily Active Users (DAU) and cultural alignment. The intent of this procedure is to sort "good ideas" from "bad ideas" based on quantitative and qualitative analysis achieved through an interest gathering announcement.

In 7CAV-DR-058, a "good idea" is proposed through the Chain of Command (FCC à DEVCOM 1IC à R&DC Commander à R-XO à R-CO) to obtain a green-light to begin work. To achieve this endorsement, an Endorsement Statement is proposed to the Chain of Command which may include terms and conditions for a pilot launch to confirm viability. The intent of this procedure is to convert a "good idea" into an "approved idea".

In 7CAV-DR-059, an "approved idea" is planned for launch. This involves engaging Primary Chains of Command regarding transfers into the Starter Platoon, ensuring continuity of service where leaders depart a position of responsibility (ASL+) and require replacement. It also involves secondary and regimental departments making the preparations required to onboard a new game, such as adding an enlistment application option, or forum and discord permissions. The intent of this procedure is to develop an "approved idea" into a "planned launch" where wider stakeholders are engaged to ensure a successful execution, enabled by our partners across the regiment.

In 7CAV-DR-060, a "planned launch" is executed. This marks the establishment of the game as an officially supported title by the 7th Cavalry. A short step in the process, but made distinct to recognise the potential for disruption, and consequently the need for unambiguous tasks to ensure success. The intent for this procedure is to take a "planned launch" and deliver a quick smooth "launched game".

In 7CAV-DR-061, a "launched game" requires constant effort and clear direction to drive a game from a small 1-2 squad-level element to a 40-strong over-strength platoon-level element. This stage requires increasingly complex support as focus shifts from solely recruitment at launch to content generation, leadership development and member retention. The intent of this procedure is to take a "launched game" and sustain it until it becomes a "mature game".

In 7CAV-DR-062, "a mature game" which has been sustained to the point of reaching 40 members (excluding the DEVCOM Lead), is prepared for formal handover to the Auxiliary Combat Detachment. A plan is jointly made with ACD HQ to ensure smooth handover and a division of responsibility is defined to ensure there is no duplication of effort or miscommunication. The intent of this procedure is to take a "mature game" and formally enact the "handover".

Commander's Discretion

The DEVCOM 1IC holds operational accountability for all Areas of Operation which exist in one step of the processes outlined above. It is at the DEVCOM 1ICs discretion whether a game is ready to progress from stage to stage, or to regress a stage, if applicable.

The DEVCOM 1IC also holds the responsibility for ensuring all General Orders, the Codes of Conduct and Rules of Engagement are adhered to by members of the department and all troopers within any starter platoons that are launched. This responsibility defaults to the requirements of the Regimental Disciplinary Process.

Scope of Authority

Per Chain of Command Right of Review, command authorities maintain the authority to implement the appropriate process steps for all members inside the scope of their command. This scope of authority can also be delegated to subordinates within their command.

The DEVCOM 1IC holds decision accountability for all procedures associated with the administration of the Department and for "low level" operational or policy decisions within an Areas of Operation which exist in one of the steps of the processes outlined above. Decisions related to individual games are delegated to the assigned DEVCOM Lead, but this authority is derived from the DEVCOM 1IC, which is in-turn, delegated by the R&DC Commander.

This does not absolve the DEVCOM 1IC of the requirement to obtain written approval from the R&DC Commander, Regimental Executive Office or Regimental Commanding Officer for Regimental-level documents such as Rules of Engagement, or for written endorsement to launch a game.

Conclusion

The DEVCOM Regulations & Procedures serves as a visual and descriptive guide to the DEVCOM scope of operations, and the key events in game development in the 7th Cavalry Gaming Regiment.