3. Lesson: Program Variables
Three items can be varied in a development program - cost, schedule, and program content. Establish the most important factors. Ensure that your priority matches that of your management.
Background:
Only two of the variables can be controlled in a development program. The worst examples of program management are those where cost and schedule are tightly controlled and no relief is given in performance. The important variable may change through a program and may be different for different elements.
In Skylab for example, the S-192 Multispectral Scanner (an earth resource experiment) had sensor performance as the highest priority requirement, since it represented a desirable experiment only if it operated with extremely sensitive sensors. Later in the development cycle when the sensor performance was established, schedule was primary since it was required to complete the MDA and a delay would have resulted in a very costly delay in the major module.
On the other hand, when cost rates indicated a potential overrun in the workshop, premium (overtime) work was reduced and a schedule adjustment was more acceptable. Adequate schedule reserve was available in this case.
These lessons learned are from SKYLAB LESSONS LEARNED AS APPLICABLE TO A LARGE SPACE STATION, A dissertation submitted to the faculty of The School of Engineering and Architecture Of the Catholic University of America For the Degree Doctor of Engineering by William C. Schneider, Washington, D.C., 1976.
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Last Revised:
March 07, 2004
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Richard Katz
