4.2.14. System Verification Review/Functional Configuration Audit
4.2.14. System Verification Review/Functional Configuration Audit
The System Verification Review (SVR) is the technical assessment point at which the actual system performance is verified to meet the requirements in the system performance specification and is documented in the system functional baseline. The Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) is the technical audit during which the actual performance of a system element is verified and documented to meet the requirements in the system element performance specification in the allocated baseline. Further information on FCA can be found in MIL-HDBK-61A. SVR and FCA are sometimes used synonymously when the FCA is at the system level. The SVR/FCA typically occurs during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.
When a full-up system prototype is not part of the program’s acquisition strategy, the FCA is used to validate system element functionality. Other system-level analysis is then used to ascertain whether program risk warrants proceeding to system initial production for Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E). Verification of system performance is later accomplished on a production system.
A successful SVR/FCA reduces the risk when proceeding into initial production for the system to be used in operational test and evaluation (OT&E). The SVR/FCA is used to:
- Assess whether system development is satisfactorily completed
- Prepare the system for OT&E (see DAG Chapter 9 Test and Evaluation)
- Confirm that the product baseline meets the requirements of the functional baseline and therefore has a high likelihood of meeting the warfighter requirements documented in the Capability Development Document (CDD) and/or Capability Production Document (CPD)
Roles and Responsibilities
The unique Program Manager responsibilities associated with an SVR/FCA include:
- Approve, fund, and staff the SVR/FCA as planned in the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) developed by the Systems Engineer
- Establish the plan to the Production Readiness Review (PRR) in applicable contract documents including the SE Management Plan (SEMP), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), and Integrated Master Plan (IMP)
- Ensure the SEP includes independent subject matter experts to participate in each technical review/audit
- Continue to control Class I changes to the system product baseline (see DAG section 4.3.7. Configuration Management Process)
The unique Systems Engineer responsibilities associated with an SVR/FCA include:
- Develop and execute the SVR/FCA plans with established quantifiable review criteria, carefully tailored to satisfy program objectives
- Ensure the pre-established technical review/audit criteria have been met
- Ensure all requirements in the system performance specification have been verified through the appropriate verification method and have been appropriately documented
- Ensure technical risk items associated with the verified system product baseline are identified and analyzed, and mitigation plans are in place
- Monitor and control the execution of the SVR/FCA closure plans
- Ensure adequate plans and resources are in place to accomplish the necessary technical activities between SVR, PRR and Physical Configuration Audit (PCA); these plans should allow for contingencies
Inputs and Review Criteria
Figure 4.2.14.F1 provides the end-to-end perspective and the integration of SE technical reviews and audits across the acquisition life cycle.
Figure 4.2.14.F1. Weapon System Development Life Cycle
The SVR/FCA criteria are developed to best support the program’s technical scope and risk and are documented in the program’s SEP no later than Milestone B. Table 4.2.14.T1 defines the suggested SVR/FCA products and associated review criteria. The review should not begin until these criteria are considered met and any prior technical review is complete and its action items closed. A readiness assessment tool for SVR preparation is the DoD SVR Checklist. This is a best practice review.
Table 4.2.14.T1. SVR/FCA Products and Criteria
|
Product
|
SVR/FCA Criteria
|
|
System Baseline Documentation (Functional and/or Allocated) Verification
|
- Documented achievement of functional and/or allocated baseline requirements through the appropriate documented verification method (analysis, demonstration, examination, testing, or any combination thereof) are reviewed and verified (Note: verification testing may include developmental , operational (e.g., Early Operational Assessments (EOAs), Operational Assessments (OAs)) and/or live fire testing)
- Assessment that the documented system product baseline for the initial production system has a low risk of operational test failure during OT&E
|
|
Risk Assessment
|
- Identified and documented risks (including ESOH) have been accepted at the appropriate management level prior to initial production for the system to be used in OT&E
|
|
Technical Plans
|
- Detailed plan/schedule has been established and sufficiently resourced to continue development
|
Outputs and Products
The Technical Review Chair determines when the review is complete. Once the products have been reviewed and approved in SVR/FCA, they provide a sound technical basis for proceeding into initial production for the system to be used in OT&E.
DAG Tutorial 
