Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Planning is a function of the Systems Engineering department focused on Test and Evaluation. Deliberate and disciplined planning, accomplished early and iteratively throughout the program’s lifecycle, is essential for effective use of M&S. A M&S plan should be developed that is integrated into the Acquisition Strategy, Systems Engineering Plan (SEP), Test and Evaluation Strategy (TES) and Test and Evaluation Management Plan (TEMP).

Below is a list of tasks that should be included when planning for an M&S effort. [1]

• Create a Modeling & Simulation Integrated Product Team (IPT)
• Identify problem and objectives
• Identify Roles and Responsibilities
• Identify high payback process areas
• Select the synthetic environments
• Identify potential legacy systems, Service/Joint-standard simulations, architectures and data repositories
• Identify where user and simulators are/will be located
• Determine capabilities and architectures of existing simulations
• Network bandwidth requirements
• Integrated Digital Environment (IDE) utilization opportunities
• Interoperability/interface/immersion requirements
• Required capability cap
• Design M&S architectures
• Establish a Simulation and Verification, Validation, and Authentication (SVV&A) planning process
• Establish long-term plan, budget, document and implement
• Involve the Operational Test Authority (OTA)

Systems Engineering Approach
Synthetic environments and M&S are themselves systems intended to accomplish particular objectives. It follows that M&S planning represents the initial steps of a disciplined system engineering approach, the elements of which are: [2]

• M&S requirements analysis
• Analysis of alternative solutions
• Selection of best solution
• Procurement or development of the selected M&S capability
• Integration, test and evaluation of the M&S capability
• Application/employment of the modeling and simulation capability

AcqLinks and References:

• Modeling & Simulation Guidance for the Acquisition Workforce – Oct 208
• DoD Instruction 5000.61 “DoD M&S Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A)” – 9 Dec 2009
• DoD 5000.59 “DoD Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Management” – 8 Aug 2007
• DoD “M&S Body of Knowledge (BOK)” – June 2008
• DAU “Test and Evaluation Management Guide” – Chapter 14 – Jan 2005
• SMC “Systems Engineering Handbook” – 15 Jan 2004
• DoD 5000.59-M “M&S Glossary” – Jan 1998
• DoD “M&S Glossary” – 1 Oct 2011
• Acquisition Modeling and Simulation Master Plan – 17 April 2006
• White Paper: JHU APL “Best Practices for the Development of M&A” – June 10
• White Paper: Introduction to Modeling and Simulation by Anu Maria
• White Paper: Introduction to Modeling and Simulation

Updated: 9/9/2017