From the Editor-in-Chief I @
Email Nelson McCouch III
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recently had the great fortune to attend the Harvard Senior Executive Fellows program. Te goal of the course is not to teach you “what” to think, but to provide you with the
skills of “how” to think, using a strategic approach and framework for problem-solving. One particular problem-solving simulation evokes the theme of this issue: requirements.
Our team was presented the problem of effectively communicating how to assemble a jumble of differ- ent shapes into a particular figure. We had a diagram of the finished product, made up of approximately 22 different shapes—everything from circles, to squares, to a rhombus (it took me a while to fig- ure out what that even was). We had approximately 20 minutes to write down instructions, without diagrams, so that a production group could build what we envisioned. At this point, if you’re an astute reader, you might be thinking, “Hey, that sounds like Training and Doctrine Command (or TRADOC) defining future system requirements.” You would be right.
We painstakingly wrote detailed instructions on how best to combine the various shapes to achieve the desired end state, such as, “Take the circles and the short oblong piece and the large square, and put them together so the right side is flat.” It made per- fect sense to us, given that we had the diagram of the finished product.
Enter the group required to actually produce the item, and feel free to substitute the Army Acqui- sition Workforce. Te hardest part of the exercise was watching the production group try to follow the written instructions. What seemed crystal clear on our “requirements” side got badly mangled on the production side. After 20 minutes, the production group built a product using all the parts, but in a much different shape than intended.
Our team was one of several that did not deliver a final product. However, many of the teams suc- cessfully built the final product. Te difference? Teir requirements were not overly prescriptive but described the final shape desired, letting the pro- duction group hammer out the details. In almost every case of less instruction, the group delivered the desired product well ahead of the 20-minute goal.
Te moral of the story: “Tell them what you want, not how to build it.”
Tis insight applies not only in the academic setting of Harvard University, but in the real world of Army acquisition as well. Case in point: In this issue, you can learn the importance of generating requirements from MG Cedric T. Wins, in a Q&A with the Army Capabilities Integration Center deputy director.
Find out what it takes to get them right from the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Enterprise Information Systems’ aptly named article “Get- ting Requirements Right.” It’s about transitioning lifesaving quick reaction capabilities to programs of record for permanent use by the Army, and the challenge of documenting requirements to support the transition. Creating clearly understandable requirements takes teamwork. See how the PEO for Command, Control and Communications – Tactical uses lessons learned to develop a uni- fied approach that evolves radio requirements and technologies incrementally. Also, hear how indus- try tackles tricky requirements problems from Dr. Ryan Dirkx, head of research and development for Arkema America. (You may never have heard of them, but you probably use many of their products, which include fuel lines, refrigerants and coatings such as paints.)
In addition to these articles, there are lots more insights in this issue on how to implement and man- age requirements using knowledge management, effective communication and continuous process improvement techniques.
Finally, you should know that Army AL&T magazine is a recognized leader in delivering information you need in a state-of-the-art man- ner. In March, your magazine won first place for digital publications in the Army’s 2014 MG Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Competition, which rec- ognizes Soldiers and DA civilian employees and organizations for excellence in effective commu- nications. With that in mind, please check out our online publication at
http://usaasc.armyalt. com. See all the photos and other extras avail- able, and share a link with a friend or co-worker. Questions or comments? Write to me at
ArmyALT@gmail.com.
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Nelson McCouch III Editor-in-Chief
ASC.ARMY.MIL 5
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