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System Verification Review (SVR)

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Reference Source: DAG CH 3-3.3.6 System Verification Review/ Functional Configuration Audit

The System Verification Review (SVR) is the technical assessment point at which the actual system performance is verified to meet the requirements in the system performance specification and is documented in the functional baseline. The Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) is the technical audit during which the actual performance of a system element is verified and documented to meet the requirements in the system element performance specification in the allocated baseline. Further information on FCA can be found in MIL-HDBK-61 (Configuration Management Guidance). SVR and FCA are sometimes used synonymously when the FCA is at the system level. The SVR/FCA typically occurs during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.

When a full-up system prototype is not part of the program’s acquisition strategy, the FCA is used to validate system element functionality. Other system-level analysis is then used to ascertain whether the program risk warrants proceeding to system initial production for Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E). Verification of system performance is later accomplished on a production system.

A successful SVR/FCA reduces the risk when proceeding into initial production for the system to be used in operational test and evaluation (OT&E). The SVR/FCA is used to:

Assess whether system development is satisfactorily completed.
Review the completed documentation of the Verification Process for completeness and adequacy.
Determine that the system is ready to proceed to the next phase and OT&E with acceptable risk (see CH 8–4.3.)
Confirm that the product baseline meets the requirements of the functional baseline and therefore has a high likelihood of meeting the warfighter requirements documented in the Capability Development Document (CDD) and/or Capability Production Document (CPD).

Roles and Responsibilities

Reference Source: DAG CH 3-3.3.6 System Verification Review/ Functional Configuration Audit

The unique Program Manager (PM) responsibilities associated with an SVR/FCA include:

Approving, funding and staffing the SVR/FCA as planned in the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) developed by the Systems Engineer.
Establishing the plan to the Production Readiness Review (PRR) in applicable contract documents, including the SE Management Plan (SEMP), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Integrated Master Plan (IMP).
Ensuring the SEP includes subject matter experts to participate in each technical review/audit.
Continuing to control appropriate changes to the product baseline (see CH 3–4.1.6 Configuration Management Process).

The unique Systems Engineer responsibilities associated with an SVR/FCA include:

Developing and executing the SVR/FCA plans with established quantifiable review criteria, carefully tailored to satisfy program objectives.
Ensuring the pre-established technical review/audit criteria have been met.
Ensuring all requirements in the system performance specification have been verified through the appropriate verification method and have been appropriately documented.
Verifying configuration items (CIs) and software CIs have achieved the requirements in their specifications.
Ensuring technical risk items associated with the verified product baseline are identified and analyzed, and mitigation plans are in place.
Monitoring and controlling the execution of the SVR/FCA closure plans.
Ensuring adequate plans and resources are in place to accomplish the necessary technical activities between SVR, PRR and Physical Configuration Audit (PCA); these plans should allow for contingencies.

Inputs and Outputs

Reference Source: DAG CH 3-3.3.6 System Verification Review/ Functional Configuration Audit

The SVR/FCA criteria are developed to best support the program’s technical scope and risk and are documented in the program’s SEP no later than Milestone B. Table 33 identifies the products and associated review criteria normally seen as part of the SVR/FCA. The Chief Engineer should review this table and tailor the criteria for the program. The system-level SVR/FCA review should not begin until the criteria, identified by the Chief Engineer and documented in the SEP, are met and any prior technical reviews are complete and their action items closed. A resource for SVR preparation is IEEE 15288.2 “Standard for Technical Reviews and Audits on Defense Programs”. This is a best practice review.

Table 33: SVR/FCA Products and Criteria

Product	SVR/FCA Criteria
Technical Baseline Documentation (Functional and/or Allocated) Verification	Documented achievement of functional and/or allocated baseline requirements through the appropriate documented verification method (analysis, demonstration, examination, testing or any combination thereof) are reviewed and verified (Note: verification testing may include developmental, operational (e.g., Early Operational Assessments (EOAs), Operational Assessments (OAs]) and/or live fire testing) Assessment that the documented product baseline for the initial production system has an acceptable risk of operational test failure during OT&E
Risk Assessment	Identified and documented risks (including ESOH) have been accepted at the appropriate management level prior to initial production for the system to be used in OT&E
Technical Plans	Detailed plan/schedule has been established and sufficiently resourced to continue development

Outputs and Products

Reference Source: DAG CH 3-3.3.6 System Verification Review/ Functional Configuration Audit

The Technical Review Chair determines when the review is complete. Once the products have been reviewed and approved in SVR/FCA, they provide a sound technical basis for proceeding into initial production for the system to be used in OT&E.