As directed by the CNAD the Metrics Working Group (MWG), has defined end state metrics for CALS. The MWG also identified performance metrics that can provide an objective evaluation of the impact and value of CALS tools and techniques within NATO defense activities. The MWG, comprising NCMB, NCO and industry members, has established that there are 3 domains in which CALS operates and where these metrics apply:
· Environment
· Technology & Infrastructure
· Process
The strength and value of CALS lies in defense system life cycle information management and its impact on these domains.
The term `metric' measures the impact of applying CALS tools and techniques in each of these domains. Different techniques apply to each domain, yet each has a common approach of determining the maturity and capability of the subject by using indicative or predictive levels of performance.
The MWG also wished to ensure that the application of metrics would be scalable, so that a common approach could be used at project, program, national and international levels. The granularity of these metrics should be appropriate to the viewpoint and needs of the stakeholder.
The MWG took the emerging recommendations of the CNAD-sponsored Life Cycle Working Group and other groups as a constraint on its activities, to ensure that the findings of the MWG are consistent and complementary to those of the other groups.
The key source standard is ISO 15288, a process-centered view of the management of defense systems. The MWG has developed a model, which reconciles this emerging process viewpoint with more traditional time and phase-based views of the equipment life cycle.
For each domain, the MWG has provided indicative and/or predictive metrics against the developed framework, and has made recommendations on the likely resources that will be required to complete the model.
The MWG concludes that the fully developed model will be of significant assistance in prioritizing investment to improve the performance of organizations at a number of levels, and in assessing the capabilities of candidate partners.
