Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) [Suggest Change]

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Primary Functional Area : Program Management

Definition [Suggest Change]

The AoA assesses potential materiel solutions to mitigate the capability gaps documented in the validated Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). The AoA focuses on identification and analysis of alternatives, measures of effectiveness (MOE), cost, schedule, concepts of operations, and overall risk, including the sensitivity of each alternative to possible changes in key assumptions or variables. It addresses trade space to minimize risk. The AoA also assesses critical technology elements (CTE) associated with each proposed materiel solution, including technology maturity, integration risk, manufacturing feasibility, and, where necessary, technology maturation and demonstration needs. The AoA is normally occurs during the Materiel Solution Analysis (MSA) phase of the Acquisition process, is a key input to the Capability Development Document (CDD), and supports the materiel solution decision at Milestone A.

(DoDI 5000.02 and JCIDS Manual)

General Information/Narrative [Suggest Change]

Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Policies, Directives, Regulations, Laws [Suggest Change]

• Analysis of Alternatives, from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 3 - Affordability and Life-Cycle Resource Estimates
• Role of the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) as Part of the Materiel Solution Analysis, from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 3 - Affordability and Life-Cycle Resource Estimates
• Role of the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) in Evolutionary Acquisition, from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 3 - Affordability and Life-Cycle Resource Estimates
• Analysis of Alternatives Final Results, from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 3 - Affordability and Life-Cycle Resource Estimates
• Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Considerations for Major Automated Information Systems (MAIS), from the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Chapter 3 - Affordability and Life-Cycle Resource Estimates

Best Practices, Lessons Learned, Stories, Guides, Handbooks, Templates, Examples, Tools [Suggest Change]

• Primer - DAU, JCIDS, 23 Mar 2015
• Handbook - USAF Office of Aerospace Studies (OAS), AoA, 10 Jun 2013

Training Resources [Suggest Change]

• CLR 151 Analysis of Alternatives - DAU online course

Communities [Suggest Change]

Requirements Management

Related Articles [Suggest Change]

Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC)

Alternative System Review (ASR)

Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction

Product Support Analysis (MIL-HDBK-502A)

Attachments [Suggest Change]

Page Information Page Views 110,406 Created on 4/19/2005 Modified on 10/18/2016 Last Reviewed 7/20/2016