Revitalization of systems engineering in DoD: implications to product cost control

Defense AT&L, March-April, 2005 by Michael W. Wynne, Mark D. Schaeffer

Defense Systems, along with the Defense Acquisition University, is designing this new introductory course to address basic systems engineering processes and their relationship to other acquisition and program management processes. Intermediate and advanced systems engineering courses are undergoing revision to reflect the new policy and guidance. In addition, they are refocusing on application of systems engineering processes by life cycle phase, as well as on systems engineering leadership and technical program management.

These formal courses are enhanced by a number of new online continuous learning modular courses. This year, we introduced two new ones: Reliability and Maintainability and Technical Reviews, both accessible from <www.dau.mil/>; a third, System Safety, is in development.

Key to the successful implementation of systems engineering is the relationship between program management, contract management, and financial management. It is vital that program managers, contracting personnel, and finance personnel understand that effective "early and persistent" application of systems engineering contributes to program success. Thus, we are also working with DAU to make sure that the acquisition, program management, contract management, and financial management curricula answer the question, "Why systems engineering?"

Outreach and Partnerships Essential

We are reaching out with program support in two key areas. First, we are changing the way we conduct program reviews. We have developed a tailorable common assessment process methodology that serves two purposes. One, it provides systems engineering support to program managers at their request. Two, it supports the DoD's decision makers prior to milestone reviews by providing a context for technical decisions on individual programs. Early results from these program assessments indicate that most of the issues could have been avoided through rigorous systems engineering improvements. Program offices have overwhelmingly accepted the recommendations made to date, resulting in lower program risk and added cost savings. We will continue to drive sound systems engineering into programs through our reviews.

Next, we are reaching out and supporting our programs with a Systems Engineering Forum, first convened in April 2004. Meeting almost monthly, the forum provides a venue for planning and discussing the Department's systems engineering initiatives. This gives members from across DoD and other government acquisition agencies the opportunity to share ideas at the senior executive level.

Systems engineering reinvigoration would not be complete without strong industry involvement. Among the most active of our external partners is the National Defense Industrial Association. The NDIA Systems Engineering Division has the mission "To promote the widespread use of systems engineering in the DoD acquisition process in order to achieve affordable and supportable weapon systems that meet the needs of the military users, and to provide a forum for the open exchange between government and industry to trade ideas and concepts, and develop a new understanding of a streamlined process."