scope:

This handbook is for guidance only. This handbook cannot be cited as a requirement. If it is, the contractor does not have to comply.

The objective of this handbook is to identify and describe key management processes for program execution. It is oriented to aeronautical business sector suppliers who support defense systems acquisitions and sustainment. The processes and their associated performance attributes are applicable to all program phases, though their relative importance to program objectives will change throughout the product life cycle. The content of this document may be used to:

a. Develop performance-based acquisition strategies through the identification of process performance attributes most critical to the successful execution of the program;

b. Construct solicitations which encourage supplier-defined processes in place of processes defined and controlled by military standards; and

c. Provide a common basis to communicate desired process characteristics and performance attributes. This will facilitate efficient communication between government and industry. It may be used by suppliers to define and improve common, facility-wide processes and develop a set of top-down process metrics to assess process effectiveness and monitor process improvements.

The six processes described in this handbook were selected to represent top-level generic functional processes common in the aeronautical business sector. Suppliers may differ in their definitions of the boundaries and interfaces of these processes. There may be differences in the specific application of these generic processes from one program to the next within a given suppliers organization. These generic definitions have been developed to allow industry to tailor and partition their management processes in a manner which best fits individual functional organization and products. In addition to the top-level processes identified in this document, there may be lower-level supporting and enabling processes which are essential to program performance. The key to successful programs will be to demonstrate the ability to implement an integrated set of industry processes and lower-level supporting and enabling processes to meet the programmatic requirements of the government. The processes, and their characteristics and performance attributes, described in this handbook are:

a. Program/Data Management Process (see 4.1),

b. Engineering Process (see 4.2),

c. Quality Process (see 4.3),

d. Manufacturing Process (see 4.4),

e. Procurement/Subcontract Management Process (see 4.5), and

f. Logistics Process (see 4.6).