1
UNCLASSIFIED
Setting Strategic Requirements for Tradespace Tools
Abstract 18845: Tradespace exploration tools support the systems engineering process for
decision analysis by identifying compromises, revealing opportunities, and communicating
the impacts of decisions across a system’s development lifecycle. Critical system
decisions are made based on the outcome of trades related to technologies, available
funding, processes, time, tools, etc. This presentation will discuss the results of a study
conducted in support of the Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) program for developing
tradespace tools and products to support Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition efforts.
The study was established to evaluate and identify key tradespace exploration tool
requirements for facilitating the needs of analytical, operational, and science and
technology (S&T) communities. Initially, stakeholder surveys involving the software
developer and user communities were conducted to determine if tradespace exploration
tools under development were fulfilling the tool users’ requirements and satisfying
tradespace exploration. The surveys served to identify a “best common practice” of
capabilities for conducting tradespace analysis in support of other government agencies
research efforts. Additionally, the study facilitated documentation of high-level tradespace
tool requirements to support the development and sustainment of a tradespace exploration
and analysis software tool. Results will guide future tradespace tool requirements
generation, contribute toward establishing DoD standards for tradespace tools, and
support the development of tradespace tools for use in system exploration and portfolio
analysis in a wide variety of DoD projects and programs.
NDIA – 19
th
Annual Systems
Engineering Conference
Distribution Statement A Approved for Public Release, Unlimited Distribution
October 24-27, 2016
