A proposed methodology for operational enhancement integration analysis

This paper outlines a process by which CNS/ATM (Communications, Navigation, Surveillance, Air Traffic Management) elements can be broken into transitional evolutionary steps integrated by operational domains across the CNS technologies, and for which more widely-focused business cases can be used to evaluate solution set alternatives. The article in the Oct-Dec.1999 Journal of the Air Traffic Control Association, "Improving the FAA's Acquisition Management System from the Start" identifies a problem with the inflexibility and lack of traceability from operational needs through system requirements to solution alternatives with the current acquisition process, including the investment analysis. By focusing on incremental operational enhancements and by placing value on the ability of each proposed ATM solution to provide incremental value, investment decisions across different sets of technologies can be better supported.