MSFC-HDBK-3173A, MULTIPROGRAM/PROJECT COMMON-USE DOCUMENT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM ENGINEERING HANDBOOK (27 OCT 2003)

MSFC-HDBK-3173A, MULTIPROGRAM/PROJECT COMMON-USE DOCUMENT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM ENGINEERING HANDBOOK (27 OCT 2003)., This handbook provides a description of the basic processes and general guidance for managing and implementing the life cycle of all projects managed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and executing the system engineering processes employed at MSFC. Its intended use is for projects that provide aerospace products, technologies, data, and operational services (aeronautics, space, and ground). It also serves as an information source for projects such as non-flight infrastructure, Construction of Facilities (CofF), and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and also for research and analysis projects. Several topics will be repeated throughout the handbook to emphasize their continued importance during the life cycle of the project. While many of the management and system engineering principles and practices described in this book apply to both programs and projects, the emphasis of the document is to describe the management and system engineering necessary for project development. Therefore, in general the document refers only to project management and system engineering. Readers interested in program management principles should be able to also apply this information to the program level. While all process activities and general guidance are addressed, project managers, working with their system engineers, should tailor implementation to the specific needs of the project consistent with project size, complexity, criticality and risk. Tailoring is a mechanism to encourage innovation and achieve products in an efficient manner while meeting the expectations of the customer. Results of the tailoring will be documented in Program Commitment Agreements (PCAs), Program Plans, and Project Plans. All projects must comply with applicable MSFC directives, requirements established by law, regulations, Executive Orders, and Agency directives. Figure 1 provides an outline of the handbook. It should be noted that the core of the document lies in Section 4., Project Management and System Engineering. In Figure 1, Sections 4.1 and 4.4, Project Development Processes and Project Reviews are arranged in a time-phased order, but Sections 4.2 and 4.3 deal with team organization and functions, and are not in any order. However, Figures 2 and 3 will yield substantial insight into timing of organizational support and functional requirements for the project team. Finally, Appendix A has an extensive listing of representative items that may be considered for a number of reviews, and Appendix B lists representative Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs). The purpose of this handbook is to combine the MM 7120.2, MSFC Project Management Handbook, and the MSFC-HDBK-1912, MSFC Systems Engineering Handbook, and define the contemporary practices and policies employed at MSFC in the management of projects and execution of the systems engineering processes. This document is not intended to be a specification for future projects, but is to be used as a guide both in the management of projects and in the development of plans for future projects. It will also serve as an orientation for newcomers and outsiders to the processes used at MSFC in the project management and systems engineering employed in the development of space systems.