Pilot Project: QAW/ATAM/Common Link Integration Program (CLIP)
Description
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Objectives
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Desired Results
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Background Materials
For More Information
Description
This pilot project is developing strategies for applying the technologies developed by the Architecture Tradeoff Analysis group (Quality Attributes Workshop (QAW), Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method (ATAM), and others) to the software acquisition process for use in the Acquisition Support Program within a Department of Defense (DoD) 5000 policy framework.
The majority of the work will be based on experience with the Common Link Integration Processing (CLIP) program, a joint Air Force, Marine, and Navy effort to provide standard handling for the reception and transmission of tactical data links. CLIP is planning to use a software architecture-centric approach to improve interoperability and reduce software support costs, and is one of the leading DoD programs that is contractually requiring the use of these software architecture technologies.
Objectives
- Development of strategies for applying QAW and ATAM in a DoD5000 framework
- Definition and development of outputs from QAWs for use in the acquisition of software-intensive DoD systems.
- Development of RFP and contract monitoring documentation for applying software architecture technologies in ASP program engagements
- Capture of lessons learned and development of a case study
Desired Results
- Development of RFP/contract monitoring wording for applying software architecture technologies to ASP engagements
- Develop the strategy and text for integrating a QAW and a series of ATAM evaluations into the CLIP RFP
- Define a strategy for transitioning full responsibility for performing the ATAM evaluations to the CLIP contractor.
- Develop a DID defining the content and format of the Software Architecture Description document based on Documenting Software Architectures: Views and Beyond.
- Develop DID for an ATAM Report based on Evaluating Software Architectures: Methods and Case Studies
- Based on CLIP program experience, revise the approach and associated RFP/contract wording for use of software architecture technologies
- Based on CLIP program experience, revise the DoD 5000 timeline and the strategies for applying software architecture technologies within the timeline
- Development of strategies for applying QAW and ATAM in a DoD5000 framework
- Develop a notational program timeline and provided to the CLIP IIPT to identify documentation and reviews that should exist in the program.
- Develop justification for using architecture evaluation as a software acquisition risk reduction measure and why such an approach is needed in performance based contracting.
- Tailor the timeline to support application of QAW and ATAM in 3 time periods (ICD/CDD, RFP, contract monitoring)
- A process to use QAW results in acquisition programs to:
- Provide inputs into requirements development and clarification
- Provide inputs to subsequent QAWs
- Provide inputs to the development of Use Cases
- Provide inputs to source selection evaluation criteria
- Develop an approach for integrating a QAW into the CLIP RFP that can be adopted by other acquisitions to:
- Aid in contractor's understanding of quality attribute requirements that are important to system stakeholders
- Promote use of quality attributes to drive a contractor's proposed software architecture design
- Prepare a contractor for performing the first ATAM evaluation of their software architecture
- Capture lessons learned and develop a case study for the application of QAW and ATAM to reduce software acquisition risk
- Evaluation by the CLIP Program Manager and team as to the effectiveness of applying the QAW, ATAM, and documenting software interfaces technologies to the CLIP acquisition. The evaluation is handled by the SEI program manager through the use of surveys and discussions.
Background Materials
Architecture Tradeoff Analysis Method
For More Information
Send comments or questions to asp-requests@sei.cmu.edu