A strategic wargaming model of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The present study was conducted to identify and validate the dimensions, components and indicators of the strategic wargaming model in the Army of Iran. For this purpose, a mixed research based on exploratory-causal approach was used. We provided the model by literature review and semi-structured interview as well as validated it by an 87-item questionnaire. 12 experts were selected in the field of wargaming at the Iranian Armed Forces with purposive sampling and the interview was continued until theoretical saturation. In addition, 46 commanders and deputies of the Armed Forces and military universities (having at least a master's degree, being familiar with the wargaming and having a strategic 18-position) were selected to complete the questionnaire. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by convergent and diagnostic method and its reliability was calculated by composite reliability and Cronbach's Alpha. Qualitative data were analyzed by thematic analysis and quantitative data were investigated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in Smart-PLS 3 software. The results demonstrated that the strategic wargaming model was consisted of three dimensions "wargaming design", "wargaming implementation" and "wargaming evaluation", 18 components and 87 indicators. Furthermore, the findings of CFA showed that the dimensions, components and indicators supported the strategic wargaming model well.