icon-carat-right menu search cmu-wordmark

Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs

Technical Note
This paper explores how continued use of the acquisition roadmaps opens up the potential for running into program pitfalls (programmatic IEDs) that aren‰t acknowledged on the map at hand.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

CMU/SEI Report Number
CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015
DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.1184/R1/6574358.v1
Topic or Tag

Abstract

Programmatically, an IED (improvised explosive device) is an unintended consequence or impediment that can blow up a development program. 

Large-scale systems (LSS) being acquired by the Department of Defense (DoD) are frequently exemplified by the creation of multiple prime items, acquired under separate contract. The multiple prime items are often controlled by different organizations, with attendant variations in timelines and funding stability. In most cases, each of the prime items is software-intensive. LSS are encountered in several domains, including space-based systems and multi-platform systems such as the Army’s Future Combat System. These are often referred to as transformational systems

The concepts of time certain development and incremental deployment of capabilities would appear to represent a fundamental change in the programmatic environment in which LSS are acquired. Such programs need a “roadmap” for acquisition that addresses this new environment. This paper explores how continued use of the existing acquisition roadmaps opens up the potential for running into program pitfalls (programmatic IEDs) that aren’t acknowledged on the map at hand.

Cite This Technical Note

Hammons, C. (2009, June 1). Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs. (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015). Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1.

@techreport{hammons_2009,
author={Hammons, Charles (Bud)},
title={Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs},
month={{Jun},
year={{2009},
number={{CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015},
howpublished={Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library},
url={https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1},
note={Accessed: 2024-Dec-13}
}

Hammons, Charles (Bud). "Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs." (CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, June 1, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1.

C. Hammons, "Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library. Software Engineering Institute, Technical Note CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015, 1-Jun-2009 [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1. [Accessed: 13-Dec-2024].

Hammons, Charles (Bud). "Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs." (Technical Note CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015). Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute's Digital Library, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Jun. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Hammons, Charles (Bud). Incremental Development in Large-Scale Systems: Finding the Programmatic IEDs. CMU/SEI-2009-TN-015. Software Engineering Institute. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1184/R1/6574358.v1