Set-Based Evaluation Tool (SET): A Software Analysis Tool to Support Set-Based Decision Methods

Abstract

This paper describes a software analysis application, the Set-Based Design Evaluation Tool (SET), which supports an innovative accelerated acquisition methodology for rapidly informing prototyping investments across the Navy and Marine Corps. The tactics and technology exploration and experimentation (TnTE2) method is fostering innovation and is used to quickly respond to high-priority urgent or emerging operational needs. This methodology brings together operational and technical teams of warfighters and engineers, leveraging aspects of a systems engineering methodology called Set-Based Design (SBD) to rapidly assess emerging technologies and engineering innovations against a specific capability-based framework. The basis of this practice is rooted in the SBD systems engineering construct to enable data-based decision-making. The SET software automates the analysis by coding the configuration evaluation portion of SBD into a user-friendly application to significantly increase the speed of analysis, reduce the chance of data input error, and standardize the reporting. Specifically, SET provides a streamlined and systematic way to Create a Capability Concept Wheel, Quickly process extremely large data sets (trillions), Integrate and process/filter data, Produce concise visuals of data relationships and solution alternatives, and Provide reports of analysis results. Its demonstrated benefits include enabling users to understand and rapidly assess interdependencies between requirements, components, and variables of large and complex data sets; providing a means for decision-makers to explore the tradespace and perform cost versus capability trade-offs; and giving leaders an automated tool to maintain and manage evolving requirements.