iTAP Methods, Processes and Tools

6th Annual SERC Sponsor Research Review December 4, 2014 Georgetown Universit

Systems and Cost Effectiveness Modeling of Unmanned Systems Product Lines for Acquisition

Excerpt from the Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Acquisition Research SymposiumThis research investigated the systems and cost-effectiveness of unmanned system product lines to improve both the acquisition processes and warfighter's capabilities. Historically defined as the probability that a system can successfully meet an operational demand within a given time when operated under specified conditions, system effectiveness is the ability of a system to do its intended job. Traditionally applied to a single system acquiring DoD systems with overlapping capabilities are most economically acquired as integrated product lines. Therefore, more relevant measures are needed to evaluate product lines and similar systems of systems. Cost-effectiveness measures a system in terms of the cost of system effectiveness and its ability to fulfill the intended mission and total lifecycle cost (LCC). The LCC can be expressed in different ways depending upon specific mission or system parameters under evaluation. The "constructive product line investment model framework" (COPLIMO) applies to performing product line cost estimation and investment analysis. Initially oriented for software product line development, it is now a general framework for system product lines consisting of software, hardware, or combined elements. The Cost model is adaptable for different product types, processes, and estimation relationships necessary to cover unmanned systems. The cost model accomplishes this by employing product-specific parametric cost models to improve estimation fidelity versus using average assumptions. The overall model sums the software and hardware component estimates derived from their detailed cost models. The results of a student capstone report are the focal point of the paper.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Systems and Cost Effectiveness Modeling of Unmanned Systems Product Lines for Acquisition

Symposium PresentationApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Naval Combat System Product Line Architecture Economics

Acquisition Research Program Sponsored Report SeriesSponsored Acquisition Research & Technical ReportsA Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach has been developed at the Naval Postgraduate School that integrates parametric cost and product modeling methods for economic trade-off analysis of system product lines. The research assesses the economic consequences of DoD product line options and has been refining a framework for others to use and adapt. This report provides details of the methodology and its application to several empirical case studies. The modeling framework includes a reference architecture and cost model for a general combat system product line that is extensible to other DoD and government domains. It has been applied to assess the economics of Navy combat system product line architecture approaches in coordinated case studies. The case studies were performed for a three-tier cruise missile system, the Aegis ship software product line, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) cross-domain product line architecture for air, surface, and sub-surface applications. An overall business case analysis for DoD product line practices was performed synthesizing the case studies with recommendations generated.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Information systems, software engineering, and systems thinking: challenges and opportunities

This article traces past research on the application of the systems approach to information systems development within the disciplines of information systems and software engineering. Their origins historically are related to a number of areas, including general systems theory. While potential improvement of software development practices is linked by some leading experts to the application of more systemic methods, the current state of the practice in software engineering and information systems development shows this is some way from being achieved. The authors propose possible directions for future research and practical work on bringing together both fields with systems thinking

RT137 ITAP: SysML Building Blocks for Cost Modeling

SERC Sponsor Research Review, December 3, 201

New Effort and Schedule Estimation Models for Agile Processes in the U.S. DoD

Excerpt from the Proceedings of the Nineteenth Annual Acquisition Research SymposiumThe DoD’s new software acquisition pathway prioritizes speed of delivery, advocating agile software processes. Estimating the cost and schedule of agile software projects is critical at an early phase to establish baseline budgets and to select competitive bidders. The challenge is that common ag-ile sizing measures such as story points and user stories are not practical for early estimation as these are often reported after contract award in DoD. This study provides a set of parametric effort and schedule estimation models for agile projects using a sizing measure that is available before proposal evaluation based on data from 36 DoD agile projects. The results suggest that initial software requirements, defined as the sum of functions and external interfaces, is an effective sizing measure for early estimation of effort and schedule of agile projects. The models’ accuracy improves when application domain groups and peak staff are added as inputs.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Analysis of a successful inspection program

Litton Data Systems has institutionalized the inspection process, and achieved dramatic results in terms of defect prevention and cost savings thus far. Additionally, several findings have been gleaned from an analysis to optimize the process. Over 300 inspections have been performed over the last two years on many types of documents, and this paper describes some quantitative results to-date from the initial 'champion' project

New Effort and Schedule Estimation Models for Agile Pro-cesses in the U.S. DoD

Symposium PresentationApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited