System Effectiveness Assurance in Response to DOD/NASA Requirements

Both DOD and NASA have established management practices to assure that for each system the mission success requirements are identified, communicated and achieved. Industry contractors who serve these customers must prove that they have the ability to predict and control costs, schedules, and technical performance to the degree required to achieve the potential cost effectiveness of the system. This paper deals with the technical segment of the cost assurance, schedule assurance, and technical assurance triad. It presents a logical system for identifying all activities that experience has shown are critical to achieving system effectiveness. It covers the major techniques for assuring that resources, in the form of documented technology, facilities, and qualified people, are available for each critical activity. Finally, it summarizes program management techniques for assuring that these resources are applied to each project in accordance with cost effectiveness principles.