Improving Requirement Modelling and Traceability within an Enterprise Architecture Framework: Methods, Blueprints and Experiences - Challenging the DoD AF Paradigm

Abstract : The 1998 UK Strategic Defence Review (SDR) introduced Smart procurement (now Smart Acquisition) to transform both the mechanisms and the values of equipment procurement within defence. This initiative combined a revised procurement process, encouraging novel contractual relationships, and a move to whole-life management. Five years on, the UK's National Audit Office has reported improvements in gross time and cost overrun on major projects, but states that there is more to do further improvements are required in the way that large procurement programmes are managed and run. In this paper we focus on some areas in which more needs to be done and more is being done to deliver the SDR vision. The areas addressed include: Methodologies and architecture frameworks for defining and managing requirements; Engaging, motivating and improving the performance of stakeholders in the acquisition process through transparency, incentive and communication. This paper summarizes, demonstrates and illustrates the methodology and tools that we are developing, and aligns our approach and experiences with improvements in the effectiveness of defence procurement. It argues that the DoD AF paradigm is not sufficient, and that real improvement implies the need for action at both technical and business levels.