Evaluation of Systems Engineering Methods, Processes and Tools on Department of Defense and Intelligence Community Programs. Phase 1

This report describes the results from the first in a series of related efforts to address systems engineering shortfalls in projects characterized as quick response, network-enabled, or emergent. The objectives of this task were to 1) identify methods, practices and tools (MPTs) considered viable in the Sponsor's environment; and 2) identify gaps where no useful or viable MPTs could be identified. Based on these products and their internal expertise, the team recommends three MPTs as most likely to increase effectiveness in the Sponsor's environment: Scrum, rapid prototyping, and continuous integration. Primary gaps identified were decision management, stakeholder requirements definition, and sustainment. Further research was recommended in three areas: mitigating environmental constraints, refining the definition of the current state of systems engineering practice, and accelerating MPT adoption.