Operational Concept Formulation 8 MB

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One of the most significant problems encountered in the development of today’s complex systems is the accurate and timely definition of the desired system requirements, characteristics, and constraints.

System engineering is the term most often used to describe the activities associated with this “front-end” definition process. The initial point of departure for the overall process is normally provided by the Operational Concept Formulation (OCF) activity. This activity defines the general system goals, missions, functions, and components in a document called the Operational Concept Document, or the Concept of Operations Document. This document forms the basis for all subsequent system design, planning, coordination, analysis, definition, and development activities. The leverage exerted by this document can, therefore, have a significant impact on the overall system design and development process. The effectiveness of the Operational Concept Formulation activity greatly influences the quality of the resultant system performance, cost, schedule, and overall usefulness parameters. The material presented in this book is, therefore, focused on improving this front-end Operational Concept Formulation process.

This book presents a series of ideas, concepts, tools, techniques, and procedures for more effectively accomplishing the system engineering tasks of concept formulation, requirements analysis and definition, architecture formulation, and system design. The book in its totality, presents a structured methodology for defining qualitative system characteristics and attributes. The methodology defined can be applied to a variety of design, development, and planning tasks. The emphasis of this book, however, has been placed on the subject of Operational Concept Formulation in order to improve the area that exhibits the highest leverage on the overall design process. The approach proposed adds structure and discipline to the Operational Concept Formulation process in order to elevate the stature of the resultant Operational Concept document. This stature elevation allows the Operational Concept document to function as a formal specification, rather than a temporary conceptual discussion paper.

Section 2 of this book presents relevant background information, together with a structured definition of the Operational Concept Formulation process. Section 3 summarizes the overall approach in terms of its concepts, components, activities, and products. Section 4 defines each of the major tools used to accomplish the Operational Concept Formulation tasks. Section 5 presents the detailed process recommended in the implementation of this approach, and Section 6 summarizes the results of using this approach. Detailed drawings, tables, and outlines are included to show process examples, and provide a “cookbook” checklist for accomplishing future Operational Concept Formulation tasks.

Table of Contents –

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 OPERATIONAL CONCEPT DOCUMENT

2.2 THE NORMAL OPS CONCEPT FORMULATION PROCESS

2.3 PROBLEMS WITH THE NORMAL PROCESS

2.4 THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS

3.0 THE SUGGESTED APPROACH

3.1 OVERVIEW OF THE SUGGESTED APPROACH

3.2 THE CONCEPTS

3.3 THE COMPONENTS

3.4 THE ACTIVITIES