Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Deskbook

Abstract

A Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a formal, systematic, metrics-based process and accompanying report that assesses the maturity of critical hardware and software technologies to be used in systems. It is conducted by an Independent Review Team (IRT) of subject matter experts (SMEs). This formal TRA complements-but does not in any way preclude-the program manager's (PM's) responsibility to pursue all the risk reduction efforts needed to ensure that adequate technological maturity is reached before Milestone B approval is sought. As an activity separate from the formal TRA, an early evaluation of technology maturity conducted shortly before Milestone A should be used to support the planning of these risk reduction efforts. All Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs must have a formal TRA at Milestone B and at Milestone C of the Defense Acquisition System. For ships, a preliminary assessment is required at program initiation. TRAs for Acquisition Category (ACAT) ID and IAM programs must be submitted to the Director, Research Directorate (DRD) in the office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E). Title 10 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 2366b requires, in part, that the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) certify that the technology being used in Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs), including space MDAPs, has been demonstrated in a relevant environment before Milestone B approval. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) relies on the DDR&E to provide technical advice to support this certification. In addition, while 10 U.S.C. 2366b is only applicable to MDAPs, the DoD is also requiring Major Automated Information System (MAIS) acquisitions to meet the same technology maturity standard at Milestone B. Consequently, the DDR&E is also providing technical advice to the MDA for MAIS acquisitions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA524200

Entities

Organizations

  • Office of the Director

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Biological Products
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Health Services
  • Hulls (Marine)
  • Information Systems
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Medical Personnel
  • Network Protocols
  • Organizational Structure
  • Software Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Space