1. DOD AT&L Technology Transition Learning Center of Excellence Briefing to SOCOM
Diane P. Williams
Director, TT LCOE
(256)
November 2007

2. AT&L Technology Transition Learning Center of Excellence
Vision
A collaborative effort between government, industry, and academia to provide timely, mission-enhancing technology transition training, assessments, and technical products and services to assist the AT&L Workforce

3. Performance Learning Model (PLM)
Technology Transition (TT) Learning Center of Excellence (TTLCOE)
Performance Learning Model (PLM)
Visits to S&T CoP – over 5,000 / month
400+ TT and Technology Insertion Knowledge Sharing Items
600+ TT Library Assets Available
500+ TT Ask a professor responses
Mgr Guide to TT in Evol Acquis Environ
Technology Readiness Assess Guide
STM201 and STM302
Army Senior Service College
TT Training integrated into DAWIA Courses (e.g., PMT352, PMT401)
Technology-Related Continuous Learning Modules (CLMs)
TT Refreshers at Industry & Government Conferences
TT Workshops & Seminars
JCTD and Tech Transition Workshops
Technology Assessment & Transition Management (TATM) Process Development
GATech/Army/DAU Partnership on Technology Planning

4. Technology Transition Challenges

5. DUSD(AS&C) Report to Congress – July 2007
Four Broad Areas for Improvement:
Responsibility, resources, and programs for technology maturation beyond TRL 5 (“technology push”)
Requirements, resources, and acquisition strategies for timely technology transition beyond TRL 7 (“technology pull”)
Technical, cultural, and business barriers to integrating new suppliers and new technologies into defense system architectures
Focused governance and oversight at the Enterprise Level
Established the Technology Transition Task Force (TT ESG)
See Full Report at:

6. Technology Transition Executive Steering Group (TT ESG)
PURPOSE:
This will be a government-only, senior level steering group that will tackle solutions for selected barriers and challenges outlined in the Report to Congress on Technology Transition, and report recommendations to the Technology Transition Council, chaired by USD (AT&L), Mr. John Young.
Members:
Assistant DUSD (I&TT), Chair – Ms. Kathleen Harger
One S&T rep from each Service and Agency (DTRA, MDA, DARPA, etc.)
One Acquisition rep from each Service and Agency
One rep from Joint Requirements Oversight Council
One rep from SOCOM -- Dr. Dale Uhler

7. Quantifying the Effects of Immature Technologies
According to a GAO review in 2005 of 54 DoD programs:
Only 15% of programs began System Design Decision [post MS B] with mature technology (TRL 7)
Programs that attempted to integrate with immature technologies averaged 41% cost growth and a 13 month schedule delay
At Critical Design Review, 58% of programs demonstrated design instability (< 90% drawings releasable)
Design stability not achievable with immature technologies
Programs without stable designs at CDR averaged 46% cost growth and a 29 month schedule delay
Source: Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs, GAO , March 2005

8. The DOD Lens Analogy
6.1 Basic research is systematic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts
6.2 Applied research is systematic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized or specific need may be met
6.3 Advanced technology development includes all efforts that have moved into the development and integration of hardware for field experiments and tests
Focus
Engineering
Sciences
Physical
& Math
Ocean,
Atmosphere &
Earth
Life
Acquisition
Technology
Superiority
National
Security
Fundamental
Knowledge
Applied
Research
Adv. Development
Understanding
Option
Basic Research
Directed
Engineering/
Operational
Requirements
Opportunities
Investment
Strategy
6.1
6.3
6.2

9. Program management and Tech Transition Focus
The Technology Transition Gap
RDT&E
6.3
Adv Tech Dev
6.2
Applied
Research
6.1
Basic
Tech Base
S&T
Managed by Labs
6.4
Program Defn &
Risk Reduction
6.5
Engr/Manuf
Development
Managed by
Program Offices
“Bridging the Gap”
Means for Tech Transition
Advanced Technology Demo (ATD)
Technology Planning IPT
ACTD
Battle Lab Experiments
Technical Events (EFX)
SPD Initiative
Industry Initiative
Means for Tech Transition
Advanced Technology Demo (ATD)
Joint Capabilities Tech Demo (JCTD)
Battle Lab Experiments
Technical Events
Industry Initiative
Program management and Tech Transition Focus
Senior Leader Emphasis
Continuous Communication
Integrated Systems Engr Process
Alignment of Budgets/Schedules
“Valley of Death”

10. DUSD(AS&C) Report to Congress – July 2007
“PEO and PMs do not create program or portfolio plans that consciously identify needed technologies and/or their associated technology insertion points. The POM [Program Objective Memorandum] reflects a relatively short horizon, money-constrained program which does not adequately address technology insertion issues. There is no effective outreach mechanism between the user, S&T, acquisition, and logistics communities, hindering development of technology insertion plans.”

11. Technology Transition Challenges
Cutting Across these Issues:
Policy
Organizational Goal Alignment
Communication between Stakeholders (PM, User, S&T)
Common Language for Technology Assessment, TRL Definitions, Terms, and Plans for Maturation
Strategic Investment Decisions
Prioritized Investments
Focus on Specific Technology Areas
Enabling Technologies to Meet Capability Gaps
Technology Assessment & Maturation Process
TRL Assessments
Moving from one Readiness Level to Another
Roadmaps to Align Program and S&T Plans
Funding and Schedule Alignment
Acquisition Process and TRL Level Alignment
Technology Insertion Points Identified
Disciplined Systems Engineering Process to Manage Technology Transition Planning
Documented Plans – Tech Transition Agreements
Specific Actions to Mature TRL Level
There is a
Solution!

12. Technology Assessment and Transition Management (TATM) Process

13. Technology Assessment and Transition Management (TATM) Process
TATM process fosters collaboration, leveraging, and cost sharing among user, acquirer, technology developer, and sustainer communities
TATM helps get technology to war fighter through disciplined systems engineering process
Now being tailored and implemented by several organizations:
PEO Aviation
PEO Core Soldier
Joint Ground Robotics Office **

14. OSD Joint Ground Robotics TATM Process Endorsement
“This DAU Technology Transition Management process has a lot of merit. I adapted it for Joint Ground Robotics use, and it has been very effective for us.”
Ellen M. Purdy
Enterprise Director, Joint Ground Robotics,
Land Warfare and Munitions within Portfolio Systems Acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics OUSD(ATL)PSA/LW&M
August 22, 2007

15. TATM Process Identify Programs, Technologies, and User Requirements1
Identify Programs, Technologies, and User Requirements
Technology Assessment of:
Criticality to the Mission
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
Technology Maturity Plan
Sustainment Impacts (Logistics)
Technology Roadmap Development
Technology Transition Agreement (TTA) Development
Risk Assessment & Risk Mitigation Strategy
Management approval of TTAs
Execute approved program plans, roadmaps, and TTAs 2 3 4 5 6 7

16. PEO Aviation TATM Process Detail
Communication and Planning
Common Technology Assessment Language
FEEDBACK
Working IPT
Technology Assessment
Input
TATM Process
Bounds
Assess S&T Project Usability/Criticality
PM with User Support
Draft/Final
ORD Exists?
Yes
Assess S&T Projects Usability/Criticality
User with PM/S&T Support
Working IPT
Technology Roadmap
Draft No 3
Project/Program Database – TATM Tool Suite
Develop Product Roadmaps
S&T Manager
Tech Projects
Definition
PM Program
Definition
Assess TRL
S&T SME/Manager
Project/Program Database TATM Tool Suite
Develop Integrated Product Line Roadmaps
User Requirements/FOCs
Coordination
Assess Technology Maturation Plan
PM and S&T SME/Manager
Conduct Product/Product Line Gap, Commonality
and Initial Risk Assessment 2
Integrating IPT 1
Review, Identify &
Prioritize Technologies
TATM Process
Bounds
Assess Sustainment
Impact
Sustainment Lead
Team Assessment of Scheduled Events
Working IPT 4
FEEDBACK
Develop/Update
Technology
Transition Agreements 2
Integrating IPT
Approved
Technology
Transition Agreements
- Review & Coordinate
TTAs
- Submit TTAs to EIPT
for approval
Working IPT: User,S&T and PM 7
Reassess
Critical Projects
A more detailed view of the process emphasizes the communications developed.
Identify the Customer – link S&T Projects with Acquisition Programs
Team with the Customer – the stakeholders work together to assess technologies, applications and criticalities
Plan for the Transition – the stakeholders work together to assess risks, develop risk mitigation plans and integration plans
Develop a Transition Plan 5
PEO/PM
Working IPT
Responsible Org 1 1
EIPT
Transition Technology
to Programs
Update
Plans and
Roadmap
(annual)
Execute
Approved
Product/Product Line
Plans
Working IPT
Working IPT
Working IPT
EIPT TTA Approval
Develop Risk
Handling and Transition Plans
Approve Risk
Assignments
Conduct Detailed Risk Analysis for Critical Projects 2 2
Threat
Requirements
Design
Test and Eval
Simulation
Technology
Logistics
Platform Integration
System of System Int.
Production & Facilities
Concurrency
Developer Capability
Operational Integration
Intellectual Property
Cost / Funding
Schedule
Management
Interoperability
Technology Transition Agreements
V0.0 Interest
V1.0 Intent
V2.0 Commitment
Working IPT
Working IPT
Develop Detailed Risk
Handling Plans
Develop Risk
Handling Strategies 6
e.g. Technology Maturation Efforts
Or Early Prototyping
Control
Avoidance
Assumption
Transfer
Monitoring
Team Risk Assessment
and Risk Management 1
Link to DDRE Recommended Process for TTA Development and PEO TTA Template: Each Platform TTA includes statements of Interest (L 0), Intent (L 1) and Commitment (L 2) Levels of support for all technologies
Working IPT
Develop Detailed
Transition Plans
Recommended Risk Areas IAW
“Risk Management Guide for DOD Acquisition”
Draft - Revision
31 August 2004
e.g. What? Who? When? 2
Link to existing STO/ATD/other S&T Process

17. Technology Roadmaps

18. PM Technology Roadmap - Key Product of TATM Process
Programs and Descriptions
Program Schedules
By Phase 3
This simplified version of the previous chart shows notional programs with their schedules and windows for technology insertion.
It also shows technology projects with their collaborative ratings, existing Transition Agreements, funding, and projected TRLs.
The program schedules can be compared to the TRL levels available for potential supporting technologies.
Technology Projects and Descriptions
Technology Funding and projected TRLs

19. Technology Transition Agreements

20. Technology Transition Agreements
Identifies Target Programs and Enabling Technologies
Alignment to Capability Gaps
Level of Commitment: Interest, Intent, Commitment
Disciplined Systems Engineering process
Technology Maturation Plans
Roadmaps to Technology Insertion Points
Identify Portfolio Horizontal Technology Integration opportunities
S&T Portfolio Management and Prioritization
Coordination & Communication
Roles and Responsibilities
User criticality assessments
Alignment of plans and design constraints
Funding & Schedules
Who will request funding, & in what years and amounts?
Identify the Program Elements and Budget Activities
TRL maturity v. acquisition milestones = technology insertion pts
Documentation and Data Provided

21. Summary
Technology Transition Executive Steering Group (TT ESG) will address the issues in the Congressional Report
Many issues have been ongoing for years
Technology Transition Mgt provides a large return on investment by bridging the “Valley of Death”, thus benefiting from DOD’s S&T investments
TATM is a systems engineering process to:
Facilitate Communication among Stakeholders
Create Technology Insertion Roadmaps
Develop Technology Transition Agreements
DAU recommends that SOCOM adopt a robust
Technology Transition Management Approach