Philosophy of Master Planned Test and Evaluation .

P.H. Sydenham

doi:10.14429/dsj.47.4029

P.H. Sydenham Australian Centre for Test & Evaluation, Adelaide, Australia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.47.4029

Keywords: Defence systems

Abstract

Test and evaluation, in some form or the other, has always been a major component of the development and operation programmes relating to major defence systems. The traditional process is based on a largely unaccountable and non-inheritable process in which professionalism is thought to be sufficient to ensure that the programmes achieve performance targets. After years of evolution, the US Congress legislated around 1983, for the 'master-planned test and evaluation' process to be used under compulsion of law. This much improved test and evaluation process is outlined using a major defence procurement failure-that of the seventeenth century warship the 'Vasa'-as a case study to highlight the main features of the test and evaluation master-planned (TEMP) method.

Author Biography

P.H. Sydenham, Australian Centre for Test & Evaluation, Adelaide, Australia.

Dr PH Sydenham is currcntly Dircctor ofAustralian.Centrc for Tcst and Evaluation (ACTE). He is also the Professor of Systems Test and Evaluation within the Faculty of Information Technology. He was, instrumental in developing international collaborations with ACTE. Onc of thc projects with which he is currentlx associated concerns the develfPment of stronger university support and international cooperation among countries having majorlsystems supply and procurement sectors. He has been an active member of the University of South Australia since 1980, when he became the Inaugural Professer and lead of the then School of Electronic Engineering. He was a co-founder of ACTE establIshed In 1992. In 1993, Professor Sydenham was presented with the Richard G Cross award by the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA), USA! in recoghition of his achievements in Test & Evaluation. He is la member of thelSenior Advisory Board of ITEA.