Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Test and Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract : The Defense Science Board task force on Test and Evaluation was chartered to conduct a broad review of the entire range of activities relating to test and evaluation (T&E). This included examining new and innovative ways that the T&E community can better support its users and to find better ways to integrate operational test into the overall development process. The task force was asked to consider the special problem of of systems testing. In addition, the task force was to identify and quantify the current and future needs of the Department's T&E capability and resources, and recommend specific and quantified changes to those capabilities and resources. To perform this review the task force examined facilities, processes, policies, contractor testing, government development testing, joint T&E, and operational T&E, both before and after full production and in the continuing evolution of force capability. The focus of the task force examination was on the T&E part of the acquisition process. The task force formed sub-panels to focus on particular subjects related to T&E. These sub-panels studied requirements determination in the T&E process, the developmental testing and operational testing (DT/OT) process, the role of modeling and simulation in T&E, and facility reengineering. The task force also looked at special issues affecting T&E including T&E for Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs), T&E of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) software, T&E of Software, and T&E of Systems of Systems. Each of these sub-panels developed a set of findings and recommendations to improve the T&E process.