Lockheed Martin OR&SS Achieves 'Level 5' Software Rating

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Nov 26, 1999 by Dickinson, Casey J

SYRACUSE-Lockheed Martin Ocean, Radar, and Sensor Systems (OR&SS) officials hope to take their software development to uncharted heights, now that the division has met the top industry standard.

OR&SS has attained the highest level of

software-development maturity on an internationally recognized standard developed by Carnegie Mellon University. The division achieved Level 5 Software Process Maturity, according to an audit by the Virginia-based firm Technology & Process Consulting Inc. (TPC), a unit of METAMOR Worldwide.

The Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University developed the five level maturity scale, called the Capability Ma turity Model for Software. The scale measures a

software-development process in order to attain a more predictable and accurate product. Carnegie Mellon developed the standard, but like other process-quality organizations, it does not certify compliance.

The 10-day assessment examined soft ware procedures and products for a program used to run surface-ship combat systems and another that controls a radar system. The assessors conducted interviews with OR&SS software engineers and inspected programming materials for evidence of programming maturity consistent with the top rating. TPC surveyed all groups working on software products from beginning to completion.

The assessors did not review any classified material in evaluating the defense contractor's radar and warfare programs.

OR&SS is one of fewer than 20 firms in the world to have achieved Level 5 maturity. Three other Lockheed Martin divisions, including Federal Systems in Owego, have attained Level 5.

The OR&SS division manufactures ground-based and airborne radar systems, naval electronic-warfare systems, mine detection, and ship

traffic-management systems. The division has more than $600 million in annual sales and employs 2,000 in its Electronics Park facility. More than half of OR&SS output is sold to the U.S. government.

Ellen Mitchell, manager of public affairs for OR&SS, says the division has been progressing up the maturity level for some time.

"From the time we reached Level 4 in 1997," she said, "we started planning for Level 5."

Level 4, explains Mitchell, is primarily focused on measurement, while Level 5 standards focus on finding and fixing the causes of program defects. The software maturity-level standard demonstrates the company's expertise in software development for potential customers who may spend millions of dollars on OR&SS products, Mitchell says. She believes the designation will help the OR&SS beat the competition in landing contracts. The division began climbing the software maturity level nearly a decade ago.

"Even though we have attained this high level," Mitchell adds, "we believe we can

always improve."