Note: DAU can provide a tailored 2-day workshop on how to assess manufacturing risk using the MRL criteria and assessment process.
Assessing Manufacturing Risk: A Best Practice
The use of Technology Readiness Levels has become a "Best Practice (tool)" that has added clarity to technical assessments and the discussion of technoloyg maturity and risk. Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs) were developed to provide a similar understanding of manufacturing risk and maturity. The use of MRLs to assess manufacturing readiness can foster better decision making, program planning and program execution through improved understanding and management of manufacturing risk.
Note: This is DRAFT information. DoDI 5000.02 requires programs to assess manufacturing risk as early as Milestone A in the Analysis of Alternatives, as well as at Milestones B and C and at the Full Rate Production decision. There is no specific guidance in 5000.02 on how these assessments should be conducted. However, many companies and DoD organizations are using MRLs as a Best Practice and are incorporating MRL assessments into existing technical reviews and audits.
MRL Questions: To review the assessment questions, either click on the appropriate MRL link on the chart below that is appropriate for your phase or go to the current MRL questions found on the Air Force MRL Tool. MRL 10 focuses on Full Rate Production (FRP) and Continuous Improvement using tools like Lean and Six Sigma to optimize processes, however achievement of Lean/Six Sigma is not a requirement.
Notes: The TRLs shown below reflect Normal Practices and at TRL 7 have a slight disconnect with MRLs. Also, the links on the new Acquisition Framework Chart link to the old definitions and will remain that way until the DAG is updated.
