TABLE OF CONTENTS Each acquisition must begin with identification of the requirements for the system. This identification includes the intended use of the system, the environment where the system will be used, the rate of usage, concerns pertaining to support of the system and potential costs of ownership. The importance of this identification cannot be overstressed. Failure to perform this identification properly will almost always result in an inappropriate system. Therefore, due diligence must be applied to this initial process. It is the first step toward success of any acquisition.
The first step in identification of the system requirement is to define the need for the system. Not, what is the system, but what does it have to do? Figure 2.1 illustrates the questions which must be answered as the initial step in defining the need. The answers to these questions form the basis for supportability engineering. This list of questions represents the minimum input information necessary to establish the basis parameters that delineate the ultimate criteria for system success. Throughout this text, this list will be continually referenced since the answers to the questions represent the final acceptability of the system to meet the User s need.
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