The Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) describes an acquisition program’s planned Test and Evaluation (T&E) activities over a program’s life-cycle and identifies evaluation criteria for the testers. It serves as an executive summary and provides a framework within which to generate detailed T&E plans and document schedule and resource implications associated with the T&E program. The TEMP identifies and integrates all of the T&E requirements with the program’s Acquisition Strategy and requirements. A draft is due for the Development RFP Release Decision and is approved at Milestone B.
Definition: The Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) is a document that describes the overall structure and objectives of the T&E program and articulates the necessary resources to accomplish each phase. It provides a framework within which to generate detailed T&E plans and documents schedule and resource implications associated with the T&E program. The TEMP serves as the overarching document for managing a T&E program. (DAG Chapter 8)
Purpose of the Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
The purpose of the Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEM) is to be the focal point of the development, review, and approval process for detailed Test & Evaluation plans and activities for a project or program. The Acquisition Process requires a TEMP as one of the primary management strategy documents by the Program Management Office (PMO) for supporting the decision to start or terminate development efforts. The TEMP is meant to:
- Provide an overall test management plan within the acquisition strategy bounds,
- Identify overall T&E activities by the government and system contractor,
- Guide the development of specific test events and integration of detailed test plans for those activities
- Document T&E schedule and resource requirements
The Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) must:
- Integrate T&E with the overall Acquisition Strategy
- Reflect the user’s requirements and describe how these capability needs will be tested in DT&E and OT&E
- Document the T&E program for the entire life cycle
- Specify personnel, funding, and test range support requirements
- Be developed prior to Milestone B Review and updated before each subsequent Program Decision Review
- Test phase objectives, including entrance and exit criteria
- Cybersecurity test objectives
- Program decisions data requirements
- Data collection requirements
- Funding sources for all the test planning and resources
- Roles and responsibilities
- Verification and validation measures
Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) Document Integration
The TEMP must provide the Technical Performance Measurements (TPM) required for review, audits, and risk management. Other documents integrated with the TEMP include the:
- Configuration Management Plan
- Requirements Allocation Sheets (RASs) and Design constraint Sheets (DCSs)
- Test Requirements Sheets
- Specifications
Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) Approval Process
The TEMP for an OSD Test and Evaluation (T&E) Oversight program is submitted by the DoD Component to the TEMP approval authorities. The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), and the Director, Developmental Test and Evaluation (DDT&E) approve the TEMP for all programs on the OSD T&E Oversight List. For other programs, the Component Acquisition Executive (CAE), or designated representative, approves the TEMP. [1]
Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) Regulatory Requirements
A draft update is due for the Development RFP Release Decision Point and approved at Milestone B. DOT&E will approve the TEMP for DOT&E Oversight programs (10 U.S.C. 2399 (Reference (g))); Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Developmental Test and Evaluation) (DASD (DT&E)) will also approve the TEMP for Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) and Major Automated Information System (MAIS) programs and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD (AT&L)) designated special interest programs (10 U.S.C. 139b, Reference (g)); the DoD Component equivalent will approve the plan for other programs.
Test & Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) Templates & Guides
- Template: DAG Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template
- Template: Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template
- Guide: Test & Evaluation Master Plan Review Guide – 4 April 2010
- Guide: Army TEMP Procedures and Guidelines – 11 Oct 1996
- Guide: DoD Test and Evaluation Management Guide – Dec 2012
- Guide: DOT&E and TEMP Guidebook
- Guide: DoD Test and Evaluation Management Guide
- Guide: Test & Evaluation Management Guide – Chapter 12
AcqNotes Tutorials
AcqTips:
- Proper testing is critical to achieving the sustainment metrics thresholds and objectives. The Program Manager (PM) should therefore ensure the TEMP includes a description of the requirements and test points/methods for each of them as well as any appropriate enabler or logistics consideration. [1]
AcqLinks and References:
- [1] Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG)
- DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”
- DoD Test and Evaluation Management Guide – Dec 2012
- Air Force Test & Evaluation Guidebook – Dec 2004
- DoD Guide for Incorporating Test and Evaluation into Acquisition Contracts
- Template: Test and Evaluation Master Plan TEMP Template v3.0
- Template: DAG Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template
- Template: Test and Evaluation Master Plan
- Guide: TEMP Review Guide – 4 April 2010
- Guide: DOT&E and TEMP Guidebook – 28 Mar 13
- Guide: Army TEMP Procedures and Guidelines – 11 Oct 1996
- White Paper: The Test and Evaluation Master Plan “An Operational View” by Daly, Miller, Seglie, Wauerw
Updated: 8/6/2022
Rank: G1
