Formulating a concept of operation (ConOps): A stakeholders-assisted standardization process for developing an integrated wildfire management platform

Abstract

Wildfire management is undergoing rapid transformation as data fusion, artificial intelligence, and participatory approaches are used to enhance ecosystem resilience and community safety. This paper presents the development of a concept of operations (ConOps) within the EU project SILVANUS, aimed at supporting design of an integrated, data-driven platform for wildfire management. The ConOps was developed using a methodology that combines systems engineering principles, standardized information management, and participatory stakeholder engagement across ten international pilot sites. Through iterative refinement, it captures the operational context and system requirements in pre-fire, active fire, and post-fire phases. The analysis identifies key limitations in existing wildfire management systems such as fragmented technologies, inconsistent data standards, limited interoperability, and weak institutional coordination. The proposed ConOps provides a structured and replicable framework to address these challenges. While the methodology effectively supports requirement definition and operational scenario development, real-world pilot testing remains necessary to assess implementation challenges.