EARLY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING GUIDEBOOK (VER. 1) (31 MAR 2009)

EARLY SYSTEMS ENGINEERING GUIDEBOOK (VER. 1) (31 MAR 2009)., This guide is intended to provide system stakeholders with an understanding of Systems Engineering (SE) processes and products used during the early (pre-Milestone [MS] A) stages of the acquisition process. It describes how each SE process and product contributes to the eventual delivery of a system with the desired capabilities, whether a new program start or a modification or upgrade to a legacy system. Capabilities-Based Assessment (CBA) is the analytic basis of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process, detailed in the J8 JCIDS Manual (Feb 2009). JCIDS is responsible for identifying, developing, and validating all joint defense-related capability needs to be satisfied by future systems. CBA/JCIDS begins an incremental refinement process that culminates in the start of the DoD 5000.02 (Dec 2008) acquisition life cycle at a Materiel Development Decision (MDD); this is followed by the entry of two or more concepts into an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), and the eventual selection of a Preferred System Concept (PSC). Subsequent pre-acquisition activities develop the detailed technical requirements for the system based on the PSC, and begin to identify the activities, data, and personnel needed to establish a technology development (TD) effort after the MS A decision. SE in concept development must parallel user discussions of candidate materiel approaches, and must also involve all stakeholders. An expanded knowledge base before MDD provides: More robust and consistently defined concepts for consideration in AoAs Better PSC maturation thru MS A Better requirements definition and risk assessments in support of MS A and B decisions, and for technical efforts during the TD phase This initial release of the Early Systems Engineering Guide focuses on SE efforts prior to the AoA, and identifies key activities and products of post-AoA efforts. Subsequent updates will flesh out this pre-MS A content, and will address key elements of planning for the more extensive SE activities in the TD phase between MS A and B.