System Maturity Indices for Decision Support in the Defense Acquisition Process
Abstract
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale is a measure of maturity of an individual technology, with a view towards operational use in a system context. A comprehensive set of concerns becomes relevant when this metric is abstracted from an individual technology to a system context, which may involve interplay among multiple technologies that are integrated through the defense acquisition process. This paper proposes the development of a system focused approach for managing system development and making effective and efficient decisions during the defense acquisition process. For this to be accomplished, a new System Readiness Level (SRL) index will incorporate both the current TRL scale and the concept of an integration readiness level (IRL). This paper describes the foundations for the SRL and provides techniques for determining current and future readiness of a system to determine its position in the defense acquisition process. In addition, it proposes optimization models than can provide management with an optimal development plan that can meet the objectives of the development team, based on constrained resources. These, in turn, can become the foundation for the development of a monitoring and evaluation tool that will be analogous to Earned Value Management used in project management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494029
Entities
People
- Brian J. Sauser
- Jose E Ramirez-Marquez
- Romulo B. Magnaye
- Weiping Tan
Organizations
- Stevens Institute of Technology