Using a System Maturity Scale to Monitor and Evaluate the Development of Systems

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)To address integration, the Systems Development & Maturity Laboratory (SD&ML) at Stevens Institute of Technology introduced another prescriptive metric called Integration Readiness Level (IRL). Combining TRL and IRL scales, SD&ML has formulated a System Readiness Level (SRL). SRL is an aggregate measure that characterizes the progress that has been accomplished by a system under development based on the observable readiness characteristics of the technology and integration elements, not the cost and schedule values. This paper describes the application of SRL to a constrained resource optimization model to determine an optimal development plan that identifies which technologies and integration elements should be matured to which levels such that a specific level of system readiness is achieved by a certain time. This optimal plan can be used to monitor and evaluate the actual progress of the system''it can be the basis of a systems lifecycle maturity management approach called System Earned Readiness Management (SERM). A simple example is used to illustrate SERM.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

System Maturity Indices for Decision Support in the Defense Acquisition Process

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale is a measure of maturity of an individual technology, with a view towards operational use in a system context. A comprehensive set of concerns becomes relevant when this metric is abstracted from an individual technology to a system context, which may involve interplay among multiple technologies that are integrated through the defense acquisition process. This paper proposes the development of a system-focused approach for managing system development and making effective and efficient decisions during the defense acquisition process. For this to be accomplished, a new System Readiness Level (SRL) index will incorporate both the current TRL scale and the concept of an integration readiness level (IRL). This paper describes the foundations for the SRL and provides techniques for determining current and future readiness of a system to determine its position in the defense acquisition process. In addition, it proposes optimization models than can provide management with an optimal development plan that can meet the objectives of the development team, based on constrained resources. These, in turn, can become the foundation for the development of a monitoring and evaluation tool that will be analogous to Earned Value Management used in project management.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited