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Category Capabilities

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Capabilities

Test and Evaluation Planning & Management

Test and Evaluation Planning & Management

The Columbia Group provides test and evaluation (T&E) planning and management expertise, based upon DoD Instructions for programs of record and equipment acquired through the rapid acquisition process. The principal objectives of test and evaluation are to provide essential information to decision makers so they may assess a system’s attainment of technical performance parameters, operational effectiveness, suitability, survivability, and safety. All of our T&E efforts are fully integrated with the program’s Systems Engineering Management Plan.

Our T&E Team provides support through all phases of systems test and evaluation including coordination with all T&E stakeholders.

During system development we:

  • Facilitate and coordinate test events
  • Prepare and coordinate test documentation, including the Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
  • Assess and monitor compatibility, interoperability, survivability, vulnerability, and supportability
  • Estimate Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM)
  • Evaluate effects of configuration changes
  • Assess human factors and identify limiting factors
  • Assess technical risk and evaluate program tradeoffs
  • Verify the accuracy and completeness of technical documentation

During and after Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) we:

  • Facilitate and coordinate program office IOT&E  preparation and support
  • Review and assess IOT&E reports
  • Support post-IOT&E corrective actions
  • Facilitate and coordinate additional operational testing

The Columbia Group has provided test and evaluation planning and management support for ACATs I through IV programs.

We are prepared to provide Test and Evaluation Planning and Management services to non-DoD customers based upon our knowledge and experience within DoD programs.

Capabilities

Systems Engineering

Systems Engineering

The Columbia Group uses an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to deliver systems engineering management support for our customers involved with the development and life cycle management of a system. We employ a logical sequence of activities and decisions to transform operational needs into a description of system performance parameters and preferred system configurations. This includes the assessment of system development processes; employing system analyses and controls; and providing systems planning, organization and management support. The Columbia Group services include requirements management, hardware and software development support, developmental and operational testing support, technical data development and review, program performance metrics tracking, and risk management. These services are part of the overall SE Process.

Development Process Diagram

We are an experienced and highly successful provider of systems engineering support. We employ a “system of systems” approach within the framework of both major Defense acquisitions and in-service platform modifications which has been proven to achieve program objectives within budget and on schedule. 

Our systems engineering services include:

  • Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis
  • Configuration and Data Management (CM/DM)
  • Design trade analysis
  • Earned Value Management (EVM)
  • Engineering management
  • Environmental engineering analysis
  • Failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA)
  • Fatigue analysis
  • Finite element analysis
  • Fracture mechanics
  • Hazard risk management
  • Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) support
  • Level of repair analysis (LORA)
  • Life Cycle cost analysis
  • Maintainability engineering analysis
  • Materials engineering & corrosion control planning
  • Milestone planning and documentation development
  • Modeling and simulation
  • Naval architecture & ship design analysis
  • Operation analysis
  • Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)
  • Reliability predictions
  • Requirements development and tracking
  • Risk identification, tracking, and mitigation
  • Root cause analysis
  • Software and systems integration
  • Stability and control
  • Structural analysis
  • System safety analysis
  • System trade-off analyses
  • Technology insertion
  • Test and evaluation
  • Thermodynamics
  • Value engineering
  • Vibration analysis

We have a proven track-record of providing effective and efficient engineering analyses to achieve our customers’ objectives.

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Capabilities

Requirements Development & Management

Requirements Development & Management

The Columbia Group provides requirements development and management support as an integral component of the military systems acquisition process. We support Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) processes which guide the requirements development aspect of systems acquisition from the initial stages of Capabilities Development through Fielding and Sustainment. We work with the services’ Capabilities Development and Integration organizations to develop and maintain:

  • Initial Capabilities Document, Capability Development Documents, and Capability Production Documents
  • Department of Defense Architectural Framework documents
  • Analysis of Alternatives Reports
  • Concepts of Operations and Employment
  • Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs)
  • Information Support Plans
  • Analysis and risk assessment of cost, performance and schedule tradeoffs

The Columbia Group also supports requirements development for rapid acquisitions, primarily using the Urgent Needs Process, which is streamlined and tailored to provide capabilities support to operational forces within less than one year from identification of a need.

We have provided comprehensive requirements development and management support for ACAT III and IV programs such as the Ground Based Operational Surveillance System (G-BOSS), as well as individual elements of support for ACAT I and II programs. In all cases, these efforts are integrated with the other two primary elements of the Department of Defense systems acquisition process, the Defense Acquisition System and the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBES).

We are also prepared to provide Requirements Development and Management services to non-DOD customers by drawing upon our knowledge and experience within DOD programs.

Capabilities

Acquisition Program Management

Acquisition Program Management

The Columbia Group provides acquisition program management support, synchronizing the requirements and activities of the three major Department of Defense acquisition decision support systems (as well as similar systems within other federal departments and agencies).

  • Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)
  • Defense Acquisition System
  • Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBES)

We focus on balancing the many factors that influence an acquisition program’s cost, schedule, and performance, interpreting and tailoring acquisition program policies when appropriate and ensuring that our customers receive high quality, affordable, supportable, and effective systems as quickly as possible.

DOD Decision Support Systems: Defense Acquisition Support System; Joint Capabiltities Integration & Development System; and PPBE Process