Systems Engineering

Abstract

This Program Element (PE) establishes the dedicated funding line to carry out the duties as described in Title 10 US Code, Section 139, the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering (DASD(SE)) is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)) on systems engineering, development planning, and related technical fields in the Department of Defense. The DASD(SE) develops policies and guidance for (1) the use of systems engineering principles and best practices; (2) the use of systems and software engineering planning and contracting approaches to enhance reliability, availability, and maintainability on major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs); (3) the systems engineering plans (SEPs) for MDAPs including software, and systems engineering considerations in support of lifecycle management and sustainability; and (4) the inclusion of provisions relating to systems engineering and reliability in requests for proposals. The DASD(SE) reviews and approves the SEP for each MDAP and monitors and reviews the systems engineering and development planning activities of MDAPs and other defense acquisition programs as directed by the Secretary of Defense or the USD(AT&L). Based on the Director’s continuous program engagement, the DASD(SE) advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the USD(AT&L) regarding systems engineering, development planning and the execution of these activities. As a member of the Defense Acquisition Board, the DASD(SE) provides independent assessments of defense acquisition program’s systems engineering, development planning, technical execution, and risk. The DASD(SE) also provides input on the inclusion of systems engineering requirements as part of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council's process for joint military requirements, to include developing specific inputs relating to each capabilities development document. The DASD(SE) issues guidance to, and consults with, the Services and Agencies with respect to systems engineering in the Department and provides advocacy, oversight, and guidance to elements of the acquisition workforce responsible for systems engineering, development planning, and lifecycle management and sustainability functions and developing policies and guidance for the integration of specialty engineering functions. The DASD(SE) integrates systems engineering with Mission Assurance in the acquisition system. The DASD(SE) periodically reviews the organizations and capabilities of the military departments with respect to systems engineering, development planning, and lifecycle management and sustainability, and identifies needed changes or improvements to such organizations and capabilities. The DASD(SE) prepares and submits an annual report to Congress on systems engineering activities and effectiveness. This PE includes effort by the office of the DASD(SE) in implementing the Department’s Cyber initiatives. Specifically, the PE will develop and address the critical subdiscipline of systems engineering - system security engineering and Program Protection. This includes study and maturation of discipline fundamentals such as best practices, tools, guidance, and policy, and will also pilot system security practices in defense acquisition as a fundamental element of systems engineering and technical reviews. Efforts in this area are directly driven by cyber and malicious supply chain threats that the Department faces, and therefore, will include implementing Department directives and regulations to protect critical program information.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Source ID
0605142D8Z_6_0400_PB_2013
Change Summary Explanation
Service Agency Name
Office of Secretary Of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Best Practices
  • Business Administration
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Military Acquisition
  • Risk
  • Risk Analysis
  • Risk Management
  • Security
  • Software Development
  • Standards
  • Supply Chain
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Training
  • Unified Combatant Commands

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Software Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber

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