TECHNOLOGY READINESS ASSESSMENT (TRA) DESKBOOK, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (JUL-2009)

TECHNOLOGY READINESS ASSESSMENT (TRA) DESKBOOK, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (JUL-2009)., This version of the TRA Deskbook accounts for policy and guidance provided by Directive DoDD 5000.01, of May 12, 2003 and certified current as of November 20, 2007; Instruction DoDI 5000.02, dated December 2, 2008; and the online Defense Acquisition Guidebook. A Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a formal, systematic, metricsbased 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). This document, the Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Deskbook, provides DRD guidance for conducting TRAs. The body of this document is a concise description of suggested best practices, responsibilities, roles, and procedures for meeting the TRA requirements. The appendixes are designed to amplify the material in the main body. ACAT ID and IAM programs are expected to follow these best practices as a condition for certification. The processes outlined should also be used for other MDAPs.