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Integrated
Weapon Systems Database (IWSDB)
Future
Trends
Effects
on LSA Data and LSAR Databases
Contractor
Integrated Technical Information Service (CITIS)
Future
Trends
Effects
on LSA
Effects
on LSA Databases
NATO
CALS Efforts
Acquisition
Workshop
Operational
Logistics Workshop
This paragraph will present some thoughts on where CALS is headed and how
that might affect data use in the future. The influence of infrastructure
developments in NATO/NATO nations, and even in the international community
will all affect the potential environment in which the LSA data acquired now
may have to be used in the future.
Integrated
Weapon Systems Database (IWSDB)
Future trends must lead to and support the fundamental objective of CALS, which is to lower costs to the Government, improve quality, and shorten lead times. The electronic sharing of data allows it to be created once and then used by multiple users, multiple times. The integration of functional processes will start with the integration of data. The acquisition strategy must specifically address the automation and integration of technical information systems and functional processes.
Effects
on LSA Data and LSAR Databases
The process for determining LSA data and LSAR database requirements is an extension of the process currently used for determining data requirements, selecting appropriate data items, and developing the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) that identifies the requirements.
The LSA/LSAR databases are the building blocks that are necessary to support an IWSDB. The process for determining LSA data and LSAR database requirements may evolve as the requirement for access to the data intensifies. There is significant potential for reduction of data requirements in that, with query capability, the Government can generate data, reports, and products on demand rather than having thecontractor prepare and deliver them. As digital data utilization evolves, the media on which the data is delivered will also evolve.
Contractor
Integrated Technical Information Service (CITIS)
Future
Trends
Access to digital data will become the standard by which all acquisitions will be measured. Because CITIS provides access to contractor-managed, functionally-integrated information, it must play a significant role in improved Government operations and the streamlining of processes. An effective CITIS program will require foresight and added coordination efforts on the part of contractors, Government sponsors, and potential CITIS users. Functional integration approaches, as well as CITIS performance, must be considered. Measures should be developed to motivate contractors with top-level commitments to produce overall, functional integration and an effective CITIS implementation.
Effects
on LSA
An effective LSA program will be planned, integrated, developed, and conducted in conjunction with the requirements of the overall acquisition program objectives. The LSA process will be established consistent with the type and phase of the acquisition program. To maximize the use of the plans, procedures, front-end analyses and reports developed from selected LSA tasks, it is necessary to establish a viable communication link with the contractor. Providing an early-on CITIS capability (including the front-end analyses and documentation generated from the 200 & 300 series tasks of MIL-STD-1388- 1A) will enhance the LSA process and the overall design effort.
There are several considerations facing contractors when they are tasked with providing CITIS to support LSA databases. Areas of consideration include the following:
- Type of DBMS or languages: The number and disparity among database management systems, programming languages, data models, data descriptions or data organizations, and interface and access languages;
- Data element format: The number of discrete techniques for re formatting data to be presented to the user in a predefined, standard format including conversion of units of measure, translation into standard format, and other agreed upon translations or conversions;
- Source or location of data and applications: The user must know the differences concerning location, hardware, operation system, programming language, and access methods for specific systems;
- Relationship and dependencies: The degree to which the user must keep track of data relationships and dependencies within and across integrated data sets;
- Version knowledge and control: The degree to which the user must ensure that data retrieved from more than one system and database are consistent in terms of data values, version or status, and context.
NATO
CALS Efforts
Acquisition
Workshop
Objectives
The Acquisition Workshop Stage 1 (AWS1) , held in April 1994, provided the outline of an improved acquisition process and the recommendation for further work. A Study Management Group (SMG) was chartered by the NCMB to conduct the second stage of the Acquisition Workshop (AWS2). AWS2 was accomplished by bringing together 52 experts from industry, governments and NATO Agencies( senior officers and civilians). The workshop was sponsored by the NCMB and the NATO Industry CALS Group (NICG) and was held at the French CALS Office in Paris from 06 - 24 November 1995.
The objective of AWS2 was to refine the definition of an improved acquisition process in order to identify data requirements to conduct business in a multinational environment. This included the consideration of legal and contractual issues in a CALS environment and the development of a management oriented advocacy plan for promotion of the workshop results.
Workshop results
AWS1 stated that acquisition in the future will be performed through continuous processes by multidisciplinary groups (MDGs) in a shared data environment (SDE) and controlled through project, quality, configuration anddata management. AWS2 refined and further decomposed the "acquisition To-Be model" from AWS1 to arrive at an improved NATO reference acquisition activity model. This being the basis, the data necessary, the way it should be used and shared, and the information flows were considered; the corresponding generic data model was developed as far as possible within the available time.
Within the Acquisition Processes, Project Life Cycle Plans will enable the elimination of unnecessary milestones by use of checkpoints and continuous control, to identify and mitigate risks and to reduce delays and other impacts of external controls such as necessary financial milestones. Ownership of data and responsibilities for activities have to be defined in contracts. Shared resourcing of the continuous controlling processes (Programme-, Quality-, Configuration- and Data Management) allows control aspects to be resolved within a programme without delays arising from separate customer audits, reviews and other external approvals. Benefits are the early identification of risks and the reduction of lead time.
The improved acquisition processes will exploit the following disciplines:
System Engineering and Multidisciplinary Groups
System engineering is an interdisciplinary collaborative approach to derive, evolve and verify a system solution to satisfy customer expectations. This concept encompasses a life cycle oriented approach, multidisciplinary teaming, concurrent engineering and the recursive application of the systems engineering processes on each level of development. MDGs are established by the Programme Manager and formed with resources shared between industry and government, their composition is dynamic and adapted to the current activities. The main benefits are better information (in quantity and quality) with the involvement of the right skills at the right time, thus reducing the risk, and the quicker reaction in the decision making processes throughout the life cycle.Shared Data Environment (SDE)
A SDE is the information infrastructure which allows data to be shared electronically between all industrial and governmental participants in a project. The building of the SDE starts at the beginning of the programme and evolves through the life cycle of the defence system. Consequently, the architecture must be very flexible and dynamic. An empowered MDG can operate effectively in a SDE. Within the framework contractually agreed between governmental and industrial participants the SDE provides different levels of data access as needed with respect to tasks and responsibilities. It also permits many concurrent levels of executive oversight. The integration of programme and product data provides easier consistency of quality and configuration management activities and enables through life traceability and experience feedback. Reduced error rates and data acquisition costs in conjunction with faster data exchange are the advantage of such an environment.
Operational Logistics Workshop
Objectives
Stage 1 of the Operational Logistics Workshops (OLWS 1) was led by Germany and was accomplished by bringing together experts teams made from 67 logisticians (senior officers and civilians from government and industry). It was held at the Universitat der Bundeswehr München from 5-20 December 1995.
The OLWS Terms of Reference defined Operational Logistics as "the process of managing the logistics support for defence equipment during its in-service life, using the data and the infrastructure acquired during the acquisition, acquisition logistics and operational phases of its life-cycle. "
The objective of Stage 1 was "to develop a TO-BE Activity Model which describes more efficient processes and provides a basis for a common data model"
Workshop results
The result of the workshop was the definition of a TO-BE Activity Model and a glossary which describe a more efficient process to be carried out during the operational phase of a defence system's life-cycle. The improvements were aimed at reducing costs, improve quality, improve service to the customer, and, finally, improve interoperability among NATO's Armed Forces. The developed TO-BE Model will serve as a reference point, or baseline, for future work by NATO nations and industry. The final report of the OLWS 1 was published in January 1996.
Having completed OLWS 1, the following objectives remain from the Operational Logistics Workshop Terms of Reference:
- develop a data model for the TO-BE activity model in accordance with the Acquisition Data Model;
- make recommendations for transition into a future NATO Operational Logistics environment allowing tailored national implementation.
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10/4/2000 11:16:26 AM by TK Copyright© 1999-2010 LAMP / IDE Virtual Enterprise |