Initiatives

Software Requirements Working Group (SRWG)

During the past 50 years, defense programs have become ever more complex, relying on advanced technology and increasingly sophisticated software, leading in turn to increased challenges for the fields of systems and software engineering. Software is a key enabler for defense systems, but over the years, Defense Science Boards (DSBs), independent studies, and even public law have identified software requirements development and software management processes as chronic problem areas. To support continuing improvements in software requirements and management, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (ODUSD(A&T)) has committed to "Establishing a World-Class Department of Defense (DoD) Competency in Software."

The mission of the Software Requirements Working Group (SRWG) is to investigate approaches for effective software requirements development and management practices for both the acquirer and the supplier organizations. The SRWG is currently investigating/working the following five approaches with the objective of improving the overall DoD software requirements process:

• Define an effective "software portfolio" management framework
• Implement known techniques that ill work and identify any shortcomings
• Find ways to leverage the malleability of software
• Change current view/perspective of "sustainment" to "continuous evolution"
• Establish a research program