Simulation based acquisition for the rest of us

Simulation based acquisition (SBA) enables robust, collaborative, and integrated use of modeling and simulation (M&S) technology across acquisition phases. Extending the concept of integrated process and product development (IPPD), SBA promises to reduce acquisition cost and risk while promoting higher product quality. SBA characteristics include a program-wide integrated data environment, a single authoritative source of system and program data, common M&S tools and processes, robust system architecture modeling, rigorous M&S and systems engineering management, and routine use of M&S to assess design configurations and test system components prior to actual hardware implementation. SBA, in its complete incarnation, is expensive to institute and manage. As such, it is most valuable in large-scale, lead system integration (LSI) programs, where system of systems level interoperability and integration, involving many system contractors, is paramount. However, any program, large or small, will benefit from even partial implementation of SBA concepts. This paper outlines SBA purpose and benefits, describes the ways that M&S is fruitfully applied during acquisition, and identifies a number of discrete "degrees of SBA compliance" in several critical areas, to which a program can aspire to produce higher quality, cost-effective products.