Exam 2 Flashcards
Exam 2 questions
(3.6.1) What is the PMB?
Time-phased plan for accomplishing each piece of authorized work.
(3.6.1) What are the steps in developing the PMB?
- Define the scope of work
- Schedule the work
- Budget the work
3a. Time-phase the budget
(3.6.1) What are 3 reasons for PMB changes?
- Formal contract change
- Internal re-planning
- Formal reprogramming (OTB)
(3.6.1) When is EVM required in DoD?
- cost/incentive contracts >$20M, compliant system
- cost/incentive contracts >$100M, DCMA validation required
- optional for below ^ thresholds
(3.6.1) What is EVM?
A program management tool for integrating cost, sched, and technical parameters of a contract. Helps provide PM with progress information needed for decision-making and risk management.
(3.6.1) EVM is a recognized function of ______ _________ which applies throughout the _________ process.
EVM is a recognized function of PROGRAM MANAGEMENT which applies throughout the ACQUISITION process.
(3.6.1) What is a reason for a PMB change and a disadvantage of a PMB change?
Reason for: to keep a PMB as a useful management tool.
Disadvantage: PMB changes do not retain historical performance data and may signal added risk.
(3.6.1) With respect to PMB, what should management reserve be tied to?
Risk areas
(3.6.1) What is an IBR?
Joint assessment conducted by PM and contractor to verify realism and accuracy of PMB; ensuring it captures technical scope, schedule requirements, and is adequately resourced.
Done within 6 months of contract award.
(3.5.3) What is the purpose of Configuration Management?
- Avoid Cost
- Reduce Risk
- Control Design Changes
(3.5.3) What are the four functions of Configuration Management (CM)?
- Identification: ID functional and physical characteristics
- Status Accounting: Recording and reporting all changes
- Control: How information is archived, accessed, and documented throughout the life cycle
- Verification and Audits: QA checks that the right product was built
(3.5.3) Designating items as Configuration Items (CI) requires more _____ and ______
Oversight and Control
(3.5.3) What are the 3 types of configuration baselines?
- Functional
- Allocated
- Product
(3.5.3) What are the 3 types of changes during the CM process?
- Engineering Change Proposal
- Deviation
- Waiver
(3.5.3) The current approved configuration is the ____ and ____
Approved Baseline and Approved Changes
(3.5.3) What are the roles and responsibilities for the Interface Control Working Group (ICWG)?
- Identifying, documenting, and controlling all functional and physical characteristics of the interface.
- To produce interface control documents.
(3.5.3) Changes to requirements, design, and production processes can have impacts across multiple levels of the system and have major negative implications to ______ and ______
Cost and Schedule
(3.5.3) What are the steps to an effective design review
- Plan
- Familiarize
- Individual Review
- Team Review
- Resolve
- Follow up
(3.5.3) What are the impacts to configuration management when commercial items are used?
- Government does not control design details
- Detailed technical data package may not be available
- Requires careful definition of interfaces
- Support strategies must address repairs and updates in commercial environment
- Test strategies ensure performance not only at item level, but in integrated units
(3.5.1) What is verification?
“Did we build it right?”
Verification Provides evidence that the system or system element performs its intended functions and meets all performance requirements listed in the system performance specification and functional and allocated baselines; involves
developmental testing of the system.
(3.5.1) What is validation?
“Did we build the right thing?”
Validation Provides objective evidence that the capability provided by the system complies with stakeholder performance requirements in its intended environment; consists of evaluating operational effectiveness, operational suitability, sustainability and survivability.
(3.5.1) What are the key provisions of Department of Defense policy that relate to systems
engineering requirements in the DoD?
DoD 5000 mandates SE and an SE Plan (Plan approved by MDA) for all programs
(3.5.1) What characteristics are included in a good design?
Producibility, testability, affordability, Fully integrated software, tech transition, supportability, mission performance, cost efficiency
(3.5.1) What are the goals of the 7 areas of SE?
- Production, Quality & Manufacturing (PQM)
– Ensure the producibility or relative ease of manufacturing an item or system - Science and Technology (S&T)
– Ensures system solution considers transition of new and emerging technologies - Test and Evaluation (T&E)
– Compares a system or components against requirements and specifications through testing –
Verification & Validation - Hardware/Software Engineering
– Ensures systematic approach to the development, operation and maintenance of
hardware/software - Acquisition Logistics
– Considers support strategy that can be cost‐effectively supported throughout a systems life cycle - System Engineering
– Technical design and management of a system that includes hardware, software and life‐cycle
elements
– Technical effort through which systems products and processes are simultaneously developed
– Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) is the Management philosophy to achieve this - Cybersecurity
– Encompasses necessary actions taken to ensure the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of
system information to enable warfighting operations
(3.5.1) Which Systems Engineering areas apply to jobs performed by EDOs?
Acquisition Logistics (SEA 04)
Hardware/Software Eng (PMO, RMC)
System Engineering (SEA 05)
Cybersecurity (PMO, SEA 05, WFC)
(3.5.1) What are the key tenets of IPPD to planning and executing an acquisition program?
IPPD key tenets ensure program cost and performance objectives are met from product concept through production and field support. Schedule is indirectly
balanced as a result of good designed.
(3.5.1) What are the various technical activities that are undertaken while engineering a complex system?
Stakeholder Requirements Definition, Requirements Analysis, Architecture Design, Implementation, Verification, Validation, Transition
(3.5.1) What management processes are used to ensure that the technical activities lead to the desired outcomes?
Decision Analysis, Technical Planning, Technical Assessment, Requirements Mgmt , Risk Mgmt, Configuration Mgmt , Data Mgmt , Interface Mgmt
(3.5.1) What are the continuum of systems specifications and how do they relate
to the technical maturity of systems?
Specifications flow down from CDD all the way to item detail spec, get more detailed as they flow down and as program develops.
(3.5.1) What is the role of the Systems Engineering Process in the product life cycle to include balancing cost, schedule and performance?
Systems Engineering Process is an iterative process applied throughout the life cycle necessary to balance cost and performance.
(3.5.1) 11. What are the inputs and outputs of the Systems Engineering Process?
Inputs • Customer Needs/Objectives/Requirements • Technology Base • Output Requirements From Prior Application of SE Process • Program Decision Requirements • Commercial Standards & Performance Specs Outputs • Decision Database • WBS • System/Config/Ops/Tech Architectures • Program Baselines
(3.5.3) What is an Engineering Change?
Change to an original item of equipment. the design or engineering change being incorporated into the article to modify, add to, delete, or supersede original parts
(3.5.5) How does T&E support MDA risk management?
It provides critical data for decision-making.
(3.5.5) What does T&E verify and validate?
Verify design meets requirements and validates solution meets user’s needs
(3.5.3) What is an Engineering Change?
Change to an original item of equipment. the design or engineering change being incorporated into the article to modify, add to, delete, or supersede original parts
(3.5.5) What are the three types of T&E and responsible organizations?
- OT&E & LFT&E – OPTEVFOR
- DT&E – Government Program Office
- Interoperability – JITC
(3.5.5) What are the key T&E support organizations within the DoD?
DOT&E, JITC, OPNAV N091, SYSCOMs, OPTEVFOR
(3.5.5) What are Key OT&E activities coordinated with DOT&E?
approving test plans, overseeing OTAs, reports delivered for FRP decisions
(3.5.5) Why do independent agencies conduct OT&E ?
They provide unbiased test of effectiveness and suitability in operational environment
(3.5.5) What are the prime sources of testable parameters for OT&E?
CDD and/or CPD
(3.5.5) What do EOA and OA provide?
Early feedback from user
(3.5.5) What is the Purpose and objectives of LFT&E?
Lethality and vulnerability
(3.5.5) What is the role of M&S?
It support systems design, trade studies, financial analysis, sustainment, and performance assessments
(3.5.3) What is a deviation?
Prior to manufacture. A written authorization, granted to the manufacture of an item, to depart from a particular performance or design requirement of a specification, drawing, or other document for a specific number of units or a specified period of time
(3.5.3) What is a waiver?
During of after manufacture. A written authorization to accept a Configuration Item (CI) or other designated item, which, during production, or after having been submitted for inspection, is found to depart from specified requirements, but nevertheless is considered suitable “as is” or after rework by an approved method.
(3.5.3) What does the Functional Baseline manage?
Overall system performance and functional characteristics
(3.5.3) What does the Allocated Baseline manage?
Performance requirements of Configuration Items (CI) making up a system.
(3.5.3) What does the product baseline manage?
Functional AND physical characteristics of the CIs.
(3.5.3) What specifications are used with the Functional Baseline?
System Specification. Defines mission/technical performance requirements and interfaces.
(3.5.3) What specifications are used with the Allocated Baseline?
Performance Specifications or “Design To”
(3.5.3) What specifications are used with the Product Baseline?
- Detail Specs (Build To)
- Process Specs. Define process performed during fabrication
- Material Specs. Defines production of raw materials used in fabrication.
(3.5.3) Where do the different types of technical reviews fall in the System Engineering Process?
- System Requirements Review: Stakeholder Requirements Definition
- System Functional Review: Requirements Analysis
- Preliminary Design Review: Architecture Design
- Critical Design Review: between Architecture design and implementation
- Test Readiness Review: Implementation
- Production Readiness Review: Integration
- Functional Configuration Audit: Verification and Validation
- Physical Configuration Audit: Transition
(3.5.3) Where do the different types of technical reviews fall in the Defense Acquisition System?
- Systems Requirements Review: MS/A
- System Functional Review: TMRR. Establishes functional baseline
- Preliminary Design Review: MS/B. Establishes Allocated Baseline
- Critical Design Review: EMD. Establishes Product Baseline.
- Functional Configuration Audit: P & D
- Production Readiness Review: FRP
- Operational Test Readiness Review: P & D
- Physical Configuration Audit: P & D
(3.5.3) Which technical reviews review system specifications?
Related to Functional Baseline
- System Requirement Review
- Functional Review
(3.5.3) Which technical reviews review performance specifications?
Related to Allocated Baseline
Preliminary Design Review
(3.5.3) Which technical reviews review Item Detail/Process/Material specifications?
Related to Product Baseline
- Critical Design Review
- Functional Configuration Audit
- Physical Configuration Audit
(3.5.3) How should technical reviews be conducted?
Not just a check in the box. Assess design maturity and technical and programmatic risk.
(3.5.3) What parts of Test and Evaluation does Configuration Management impact?
Test planning, execution, verification
(3.5.3) What parts of Manufacturing does Configuration Management impact?
Production processes, tooling, materials
(3.5.3) What parts of Logistics Support does Configuration Management impact?
Documentation, spare parts, training, reliability, etc.
(3.2.4) Why is it important to determine the financial health of an offeror?
They must be “responsible” and eligible for contract award
(3.2.4) What are the two profitability ratios that can be determined from the balance sheet and income statement?
Return on Sales (ROS) and Return on Assets (ROA)
(3.2.4) What is the difference between a direct cost and indirect cost?
Direct Cost: Associated with a single cost object (Specific product, clearly identified, material)
Indirect Cost: Associated with two or more cost objects (support, overhead, general and administrative)
(3. 2.4) Which of these is not an example of Overhead:
1. Supervision
2. Raw material
3. Quality Control
4. Material handling
- Raw material
(3.2.4) What is the fully burdened rate?
- The TOTAL COST to the contractor on a PER TIME basis (emphasis from notes)
- used to ensure direct labor, indirect costs, and profit are accounted for in pricing
- estimating costs at the trade level (ex. engineer days x fully burdened engineer rate)
(3.2.4) Why are forward rate agreements used?
- Provide reasonable projections for costs of contracts
- Determines if costs and prices are fair and reasonable
- Establish agreements with contractors on the methodologies for calculating final prices of contracts
(3.2.4) What is the formula for calculating indirect cost (overhead) rates?
Indirect cost rate = (Indirect Cost Pool)/(Allocation Base)
(3.2.4) What are the two formulas needed to calculate the G&A allocation rate?
- Total Cost Input (TCI) = Direct Cost + Overhead Costs
- G&A costs
- G&A rate = (G&A costs)/(TCI)
(3.2.4) How does the KO determine a fair and reasonable price?
Price analysis (less detailed, more rough yardstick approach) or cost analysis (detailed and can increase contract price)