The Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase is one of five phases that make up the defense acquisition process. It’s focused on making sure a program is ready to enter into the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase by having reduced risk, mature requirements, funding, and stable programitics.
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Purpose
The purpose of the Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase is to reduce technology risk, engineering integration, life-cycle cost risk and to determine the appropriate set of technologies to be integrated into a full system. The TMRR phase conducts competitive prototyping of system elements, refines requirements, and develops the Functional and Allocated Baselines of the end-item system configuration.
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Objectives
The objective of the TMRR phase is the buying down technical risk and developing a sufficient understanding of a solution in order to make sound business decisions on initiating a formal acquisition program in the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) Phase. (See Milestone Requirements Matrix)
The TMRR phase develops and demonstrates prototype designs to reduce technical risk, validate designs, validate cost estimates, evaluate manufacturing processes, and refine requirements. Based on refined requirements and demonstrated prototype designs, integrated systems design of the end-item system can be initiated. Additionally, the TMRR Phase efforts ensure the level of expertise required to operate and maintain the product is consistent with the force structure.
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Analysis
During this phase, the Program Manager (PM) will conduct a systems engineering trade-off analysis showing how cost and capability vary as a function of the major design parameters. The analysis will support the assessment of refined Key Performance Parameters (KPP) / Key System Attributes (KSA) in the Capability Development Document (CDD). Capability requirements proposed in the CDD (or equivalent requirements document) should be consistent with program affordability goals. [1]
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Process
Technology development is an iterative process of maturing technologies and refining user performance parameters to accommodate those technologies that are not sufficiently mature. The Initial Capabilities Document (ICD), the Technology Development Strategy (TDS), draft Capability Development Document (CDD), and draft System Requirements Document (SRD) guide the efforts of this phase, leading to an approved CDD.
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Deliverable
The Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase should:
- Develop Live-Fire T&E Waiver request (if appropriate),
- Develop Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP),
- Develop Risk Assessment,
- Develop Systems Engineering Plan,
- Develop Programmatic Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Evaluation (PESHE),
- Develop Compliance Schedule for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
- Develop Program Protection Plan (PPP),
- Develop Technology Readiness Assessment,
- Develop Should Cost,
- Develop Cost Capability Analysis (CCA),
- Develop Capability Development Document (CDD), & System Requirements Document (SRD),
- Validated System Support and Maintenance Objectives and Requirements,
- Provide Inputs to the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR), Information Support Plan (ISP), System Threat Assessment (STAR), Acquisition Strategy, Affordability Assessment, Cost and Manpower Estimates, and System Safety.
Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase Reviews
The Technical Reviews conducted during the TMRR Phase are:
- System Requirements Review (SRR)
- System Functional Review (SFR)
- Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
- Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA)
- Integrated Baseline Review (IBR)
AcqNotes Tutorial
AcqLinks and References:
- Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) – Chapter 1
- Defense Acquisition Life Cycle Wall Chart – 18 Apr 2017
- Milestone Requirements Matrix
- DoD Instruction 5000.85 Major Capability Acquisition
- [1] DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”
- DoD Directive 5000.01 “Defense Acquisition System”
Updated: 7/8/2028
Rank: G1
