Software Architecture: Managing Design for Achieving Warfighter Capability

Abstract

This research analyzes the problems associated with poorly performing DoD software-intensive systems, focusing on the critical software architectural design process. DoD's software-intensive systems continue to experience software related performance, supportability, and security shortfalls resulting in system software failures, lack of necessary Open Architecture (OA) features, costly and resource-intensive support requirements, and security vulnerabilities that negatively impact the warfighter missions. As software performance is significantly determined by the software architecture, this research examined current practices for controlling and influencing the system software design process metrics and analyzed other available design-analysis methodologies for applicability to the DoD acquisition process. Specifically, methods were analyzed for the ability to integrate the user-oriented Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), the Systems Engineering Process (SEP), and the DoD Acquisition Management Model.