Industry-Engaged Mission Engineering Framework

This document is a technical report that outlines the concept of Industry-Engaged Mission Engineering as applied by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It describes how this approach shifts the focus from traditional systems engineering to mission success by evaluating the effectiveness of a system of systems (SoS) in achieving mission objectives. The report emphasizes the importance of engaging commercial industry to enhance mission engineering, detailing how collaboration can align technical capabilities with identified mission gaps. It presents strategies for early industry engagement, including hosting workshops and simplifying acquisition processes to foster innovation. The report also discusses the need for cooperative modeling and analysis to improve alignment between commercial solutions and mission objectives. Additionally, it highlights the benefits of continuous engagement through prototyping and experimentation to refine understanding of solution impacts on mission outcomes. The authors, Charles Clancy, Ph.D., and Judith Dahmann, Ph.D., provide insights into how these practices can accelerate DoD acquisitions and improve operational effectiveness.