4.1 Using the Model

The SECM is structured to support a wide variety of improvement activities including appraisals, process improvement, and process design. A short description of each is provided here.

Appraisal:

Appraisals may be either self-administered or augmented by expert "facilitators" from inside or outside the organization. This model is intended for internal process improvement. It has not been calibrated or qualified for evaluation of a potential vendor's capability to perform its systems engineering process. The latter use, vendor selection, could lead to incorrect conclusions about a supplier's ability to perform, and is not recommended.

Although it is not required that any particular appraisal method be used with the SECM, an appraisal method designed to maximize the utility of the model has been designed by the SECM Project. Part 2 of this Standard, designated EIA 731-2 SECM Appraisal Method, fully describes the recommended method and includes support materials.

Process Improvement:

Either with or without an appraisal to benchmark an organization's systems engineering practices, an organization may use the SECM for guidance to design an improvement program. There are many sources within industry for approaches to organizational improvement and most should be able to be used with the SECM or adapted for SECM use.

A capability level and improvement method should be developed for each Focus Area, independently of each other. Any process improvement effort, using any reference model, should be constructed to support the business goals of the organization. An organization using the SECM should prioritize the Focus Areas...