Mission Need Statement

A Mission Needs Statement (MNS) is a U.S. Department of Defense type of document which identifies capability needs for a program to satisfy by a combination of material and non-material solution (DOTMLPF) to resolve a mission deficiency or to enhance operational capability.

This term was introduced as a fundamental step in CJCSI 3170.01B (Apr 2001), 6212.01D (Apr 2005), and the Interim Defense Acquisition Guidebook (Oct 2004).

This type of document has been superseded by the description of capability needs called an Initial Capabilities Document, as of CJCSI 3170.01E.