4.3.13. Implementation Process
4.3.13. Implementation Process
The Implementation process involves two primary efforts: design and realization. The outputs of the Implementation process include the detailed design down to the lowest level system elements in the system architecture, and the fabrication/production procedures of forming, joining, and finishing, or coding for software. Depending on technology maturity, the Implementation process may develop, buy, or reuse system elements to render the system. Implementation is integral to systematically increasing maturity, reducing risk, and ensuring the system is ready for Integration, Verification, and Validation. The Implementation process provides a system that satisfies specified design and stakeholder performance requirements. As a best practice, the Systems Engineer should develop an implementation plan including implementation procedures, fabrication processes, tools and equipment, implementation tolerances, and verification uncertainties.
Design
Implementation begins in the Materiel Solution Analysis phase, where the Analysis of Alternatives informs whether the preferred materiel solution can be developed, bought, or reused. This analysis takes many forms, such as modeling and simulation, experiments, and prototypes through which competing systems can be assessed. Careful decisions regarding the design of system elements can enable the use of open (non-proprietary) standards and an open systems or modular approach that may allow for resiliency as well as reduce costs and promote competition during development, production, technology refresh, and life-cycle extension. Design activities may include:
- Identify and analyze the constraints that the technology and design and realization techniques impose on the design solution
- Develop design and implementation prototypes and solutions for the system elements
- Analyze candidate system element design and implementation solutions and conduct variability studies to identify conflicts and resolution alternatives to ensure system integrity
- Identify fabrication and quality procedures, and document design assumptions and decisions in the final system elements drawings or technical data package
Realization
Realization is the process of building the system elements using specified materials and fabrication and production tools/procedures identified during design. Early fabrication and production planning is critical for successful realization and delivery of the needed capability. System elements are built to the product baseline and should meet quality standards. Realization activities may include:
- Obtain or acquire access to materials and tools required to build system elements
- Obtain external system elements as applicable
- Build system elements in accordance with implementation procedures, tolerances, and applicable ESOH, security, and privacy
- Determine system elements functionality against specified product quality characteristics
- Document fabrication and production issues and associated corrective actions
- Deliver implemented system elements for integration and subsequent verification
The output of the Implementation process is the physical system elements as identified in the product baseline, including fabrication and production methods.
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