Supportability Assessment - Phase
Supportability Assessment 2
Definition
Supportability is an aspect of system availability and therefore, it is necessary to perform supportability assessments as a system progresses through the acquisition framework. The supportability assessments evaluate the characteristics of a system and its support system design which provides for sustained system performance at its required levels of operation and maintenance. ILS related assessments of supportability provide a structured process to assess the status of an ILS program to achieve the required product support goals and to address the specific supportability issues.
General/Information/Narrative
Supportability assessments are performed from conception of a design through deployment. These assessments address the ten ILS elements; design influence, maintenance planning, manpower and personnel, supply support, support equipment, technical data, training and training support, computer resources support, facilities, and packaging handling storage and transportation. {add a hyperlink to each of these to the associated article when posting on the web}As a result, the processes for these assessments must be integrated with the systems engineering process. These assessments can be conducted on topical entries per specified concepts and procedures. It is key to note, that while all supportability assessments are vital and must be timely, the role and impact of a particular assessment will differ depending on the point of execution.
A supportability assessment is necessary to exit the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase and enter the Production and Deployment Phase. Several key logistics criteria are evaluated during EMD. Throughout this phase, specific aspects of supportability are designed into the system, and the modeling, simulation, and testing performed during EMD must demonstrate acceptable support related performance. As a result of these processes, ILS requires documentation of acceptable operational supportability as exit criteria, to be documented at Milestone C.
It is vital to assess supportability throughout a system’s life cycle. Through the coordination of supportability assessments and the systems engineering process it is possible to enhance operational effectiveness. Supportability assessments are necessary and required for both the development and sustainment of any system.
Policies, Directives, Regulations, Laws
Army Regulation 700–127, Integrated Logistics Support
Best Practices, Lessons Learned, Stories, Guides, Handbooks, Templates, Example Tools, Communities of Practice, LEC Tools
The Systems Planning and Requirements Software (SYSPARS) tool can facilitate the supportability assessments discussed in this article through the use of the Supportability Strategy / Life Cycle Sustainment Plan module. Through tailored interactive question and answer sections, SYSPARS assists the user in systematically considering all issues pertinent to his or her acquisition program. It can be used to create required plans early in the life cycle with a Systems Engineering Plan and Acquisition Strategy and continue to assist with various required plans through the end of the program. There are numerous documents within the SYSPARS knowledge base that are designed to assist the acquisition community. A conclusive list and SYSPARS program information can be obtained by visiting the SYSPARS website at https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/syspars.
Reports related to the ILS elements may also be generated to support this assessment. PowerLOG is a logistics data management system developed to support the development, integration, and review of logistic product information throughout the acquisition life cycle. PowerLOG implements the Logistics Support Analysis Record (LSAR) requirements defined in MIL-STD-1388-2B as well as Logistics Product Data (LPD) standards defined by GEIA-STD-0007. PowerLOG also supports legacy data standards such as MIL-STD-1552 (PMR). PowerLOG is available free to all Government agencies and their contractors and can be obtained by visiting: https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/powerlog/.
The Computerized Optimization Model for Predicting and Analyzing Support Structures (COMPASS) is a system Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) modeling tool. LORA is the analytical methodology used to determine the maintenance repair levels where items should be removed and replaced; and ultimately repaired or discarded. COMPASS estimates the cost to repair or discard items at various maintenance levels, with contractor facilities included as a separate level. COMPASS optimizes both the maintenance and support to achieve your target operational availability (Ao). COMPASS can consider up to four levels of organic maintenance (supports Two-Level Maintenance studies), supply support, and contractor support. You can also use COMPASS output data as a source for developing the MAC and SMR codes. COMPASS is a free tool available to both DoD and contractors at: https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/compass/.
Training Resources
Related Articles
Designing and Assessing Supportability in DOD Weapon System: A Guide to Increased Reliability and Reduced Logistics Footprint. Office of Secretary of Defense. 24 October 2003.
Required for:
The supportability assessments are required for IPRs and to assist the PM in preparing for milestone decision reviews and other designated evaluations/audits.
The supportability assessments are required to formulate and present the logistician's position regarding the materiel system, prior to each major decision review/IPR.
Responsible Activity:
The PM, as the Total Life Cycle System Manager, is responsible for supportability assessment with guidance from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition Policy and Logistics).
