A Model for Evaluating the Maturity of a Modular Open Systems Approach

Defense Acquisition leadership has long espoused the benefits of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). The discussion has been consistent, but the actions have not. We suggest that there is a spectrum of MOSA “compliant” implementations among projects. We refer to this as a spectrum of “MOSA Maturity”. The acquisition community would benefit from an evaluation framework – based on a model of MOSA maturity – to characterize how well MOSA-related policy objectives were being met. We suggest that a coherent set of attributes can be investigated, and results assessed to see if a program, system, system-of-systems, or enterprise has made the necessary changes to business, technical, and organizational models.

This paper describes an analysis construct that characterizes how well a weapon (or cyber-physical) system product has progressed in achieving the attributes of a MOSA. We will consider recently published attributes and criteria for MOSA as described by the DoD, the Military Services, and Congress. We tie this work with emerging development practices to determine a more effective means of measuring and comparing MOSA capabilities across programs.

This approach, built on prior research (as well as its measures) aligns with the newest Military Services MOSA policies and the latest DoD Instruction 5000.02: Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework. We will identify new findings for the consistent application of MOSA practices in programs.