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News Archive

  • NDIA Systems Engineering Conference Presentations Available (Posted Nov 2007)

    The final agenda and presentations from the 10th Annual NDIA Systems Engineering Conference held in San Diego, CA on October 22-25, 2007 are available. This conference is sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Systems Engineering Division with technical co-sponsorship by IEEE AES, IEEE Systems Council, and the International Council on Systems Engineering, and is supported by the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Director, Systems and Software Engineering and Office of the DoD Chief Information Officer. The Conference addresses all aspects of Defense programs including program management, systems and software engineering and effectiveness, best practices, education and training in systems engineering, the role of development test, modeling and simulation, net-centric operations and data/information interoperability, system-of-systems engineering, and all aspects of system sustainment and logistics.

  • Updated CMMI® for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ) Model Now Available (Posted Nov 2007)

    The CMMI for Acquisition (CMMI-ACQ) model, developed by the Carnegie-Mellon University Software Engineering Institute under sponsorship of the Department of Defense, is designed for use in managing a supply chain by those who acquire, procure, or otherwise select and purchase products and services for business purposes. This model is a continuation of work to define best practices for organizations that acquire products and services or outsource development and support, which was work begun in a partnership between General Motors and the SEI.

    CMMI-ACQ provides guidance to acquisition organizations for initiating and managing the acquisition of products and services that meet the needs of the customer. The model focuses on acquirer processes and integrates bodies of knowledge that are essential for successful acquisitions. CMMI-ACQ provides an opportunity for acquisition organizations—

    • To avoid or eliminate barriers and problems in the acquisition process through improved operational efficiencies.
    • To initiate and manage a process for acquiring products and services, including solicitations, supplier sourcing, supplier agreement development and award, and supplier capability management.
    • To utilize a common language for both acquirers and suppliers so that quality solutions are delivered more quickly and at a lower cost with the most appropriate technology.

  • Online Capabilities-Based Planning Training Now Available (Posted Oct 2007)

    The Capabilities-Based Planning (CBP) continuous learning module (CLM 041) now available through the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Continuous Learning website (http://clc.dau.mil). CBP is an overarching framework for planning under uncertainty to provide capabilities suitable for a wide range of modern-day challenges and circumstances while working within an economic framework that necessitates choice. This definition articulates that senior leaders are required to make decisions that narrow 'uncertainty' down to finite range of threat capabilities that are used for planning. In addition, this definition implies that a recommendation is provided to senior leaders narrowing uncertainty into a finite set of threat capabilities from which a decision can be made. The CBP CLM will provide the foundational concepts and processes a Requirements Manager must understand. This course and the upcoming Intermediate Requirements Management Training Certification Course are intended to meet the minimum statutory requirements set by Sec 801 of the FY07 National Defense Authorization Act.