Initiatives

Systems and Software Engineering Integration

SSA is working with the University of Southern California Center for Systems and Software Engineering (USC-CSSE) to study better ways to integrate systems and software engineering. As a result of their efforts, USC-CSSE has developed the Incremental Commitment Model (ICM) which integrates hardware, software, and human factors elements of Systems Engineering (SE), as well as the strengths of current process models. As part of this effort, there is on-going evaluation of current Department of Defense (DoD) SE and Software Engineering (SwE) processes and standards, an evaluation of the ICM for integration applicability, and an effort to evaluate relevant DoD guidance, education, and training.

In addition, SSA is working with USC-CSSE to study a way to support implementation of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) Memo on Prototyping and Competition (dated 19 September 2007) using the ICM as well. The memo applies to all programs requiring USD(AT&L) approval; its objectives are to:

• Discover issues before the costly Systems Development and Demonstration Phase (SDD) phase
• Enable the Services and Agencies to produce competitive prototypes through Milestone B
• Reduce time to fielding