Independent Technical Assessments

Through independent technical assessments (ITAs), teams from the SEI uncover the root causes of problems affecting DoD software-intensive programs, providing recommendations that maximize a program’s strengths and minimize and mitigate its risks. ITAs are objective, technical evaluations of software-intensive development or acquisition programs. They are typically initiated by the system program director, program executive officer, or other acquisition official. (For more information about ITAs, see the SEI technical note Real-Time Systems Engineering: Lessons Learned from Independent Technical Assessments, CMU/SEI-2001-TN-004.)

The two troops you sent are exactly what the doctor ordered. BAE and my troops are really impressed with their UNIX competence. Finally, the government sent us somebody who didn't just go in to eat our donuts!
Col. Christopher King of Electronic
Systems Center/Combat Air Forces
Command and Control (ESC/AC),
regarding two SEI staff members who
conducted an assessment of recurring
problems with the Air Force Mission
Support Systems (AFMSS) program and
provided recommendations for long-term
sustainment and evolution.

ITA teams are composed of SEI staff members and visiting scientists with a mix of expertise, who conduct a series of interviews with program stakeholders and ultimately deliver a briefing and recommendations.

The SEI has performed many ITAs over the past five years on mission-critical systems for the DoD and other agencies. Most of the programs evaluated have been U.S. Air Force and Navy programs, and have been procurements of software-intensive systems with the following application-domain attributes:

>	command, control, communications, and intelligence
>	logistics support
>	electronics testing and evaluation
>	satellite ground control
>	real-time vehicle electronics

ITAs conducted in 2002 included

>	an independent technical and programmatic evaluation of the Standard Procurement System (SPS) Program. The SPS is an automated information system that supports procurement functions at all DoD procurement organizations. In May 2002, the SEI team worked with the SPS Program Office to assess the current status of specific key areas (user satisfaction, requirements, test, resources, quality, deployment, and contracts) identified in the SEI’s initial technical probe of the SPS program. This revisit was accomplished through interviews with the program office and the contractor. The SEI team prepared and presented an annotated briefing on its findings and offered recommended actions for the program office.
>	a detailed follow-up to last year’s ITA of the Air Force’s Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS). The MilPDS supports all personnel management functions, from recruiting to job assignment, and ultimately separation or retirement. The SEI is working with the program office to determine the progress since the recommendations from last year’s two-day probe. The SEI will continue to assess the program’s strengths, weaknesses, and risks, and to provide recommendations and guidance for the newly established program management office.
>	an interim technical review of the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS). In this ITA, the SEI assessed the progress of the JMPS based on recommendations from last year’s ITA. The program director has also asked the SEI to work closely with the program to implement other recommendations.
>	a joint government and industry review of the Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution Segment (DCAPES) program, which enables the Air Force to manage the movement and deployment of its personnel anywhere in the world. The team provided analyses and recommendations in the areas of system performance, interfaces, scalability, and system evolution.


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