Executive Overview of SEI MOSAIC:
Managing for Success Using a Risk-Based Approach

Parent SEI Program

Dynamic Systems

Parent Project

Mission Success in Complex Environments

Related Publications

Common Elements of Risk

Mission Assurance Analysis Protocol (MAAP): Assessing Risk in Complex Environments

Defining Incident Management Processes for CSIRTs: A Work in Progress

Managing Information Security Risks: The OCTAVE Approach

Christopher Alberts
Audrey Dorofee
Lisa Marino

Technical Note
CMU/SEI-2007-TN-008

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In today's business environment, multiple organizations routinely work collaboratively in pursuit of a single mission. These separate efforts result in process and programmatic complexity that is difficult to manage effectively. Mission success in these complex settings demands a collaborative management approach that effectively coordinates task execution and decision-making activities among all participating groups. Managing for mission success requires establishing and maintaining a reasonable degree of confidence that a mission's objectives will be successfully achieved. Confidence at the mission level requires establishing and maintaining a corresponding level of confidence in the people, processes, and technologies used to achieve a mission. The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is currently developing the Mission-Oriented Success Analysis and Improvement Criteria (MOSAIC)--a suite of advanced, risk-based analysis methods for assessing complex, distributed programs, processes, and information-technology systems. With SEI MOSAIC methods, management can establish and maintain confidence in success throughout the life cycle and help provide assurance at the mission, system, and program levels. This technical note provides an executive overview of the concepts and foundations of SEI MOSAIC.