Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com MIL-HDBK-502: A MIL-HDBK-502: A CQUISITION CQUISITION L OGISTICS OGISTICS consider the support resources necessary to achieve specified levels of readiness (A o ) for a range of assumptions regarding system reliability and maintainability characteristics, usage rates, and operating scenarios. Because of the uncertainty in estimating resource costs like manpower and energy, sensitivity analyses should be performed. Sensitivity analyses help to identify and weight the various factors which drive life cycle costs. This knowledge is key to understanding and managing program risk.
All major elements of life cycle cost should be addressed as part of the system analysis and control activities. The objective is to minimize cost within major constraints such as readiness requirements. Ongoing assessments of life cycle costs during a product’s acquisition and continuing through its service life provide important insight to effective life cycle management. These assessments are required not only because costs change over time, but also because what constitutes acceptable affordability is also subject to change. What is affordable under one set of economic conditions may be unaffordable under another.
Therefore, it is important to investigate opportunities to reduce the cost of ownership throughout all phases of a system’s life cycle. Equipment readiness Readiness is a measure of an organization’s capability to perform assigned mission responsibilities when called upon to do so. A combination of A o and mission frequencies (e.g., sortie rates), for both surge and sustained operations is a measure of equipment readiness. Equipment readiness predictions are a tool for assessing the operational suitability of a product before its introduction into service. Equipment readiness needs will vary from system to system, and from peacetime to wartime.
As was true with manpower and personnel, equipment readiness should be addressed at the earliest stage of a new acquisition . Manpower and personnel constraints Reductions in manpower and the increasing complexity of defense systems offer a significant challenge in acquiring affordable defense systems. Early consideration of manpower and personnel requirements is very important. Manpower and personnel constraints (quantities, skills, and skill levels) are major cost drivers of every total system and are as important as any other design consideration.
Because of their potential impact on product performance, readiness, and cost, all manpower and personnel requirements for new systems should be identified and evaluated early and alternatives considered. For example, use of commercial support for a low- density, highly complex product could eliminate most of the training costs associated with maintaining a qualified cadre of personnel in an environment with frequent personnel changes. 4-16