The fundamental purpose of Test & Evaluation (T&E) is to provide knowledge to assist in Risk Management that’s involved in developing, producing, operating, and sustaining systems and capabilities. The T&E process is an integral part of the Systems Engineering Process (SEP) which identifies levels of performance and assists the developer in correcting deficiencies.
Definition: Test & Evaluation (T&E) is the process by which a system or components are compared against requirements and specifications through testing.
T&E provides knowledge of system capabilities and limitations to the acquisition community for use in improving the system performance and optimizing system use and sustainment in operations. T&E enables the Program Manager to learn about limitations (technical or operational), Critical Operational Issues (COI), of the system under development so that they can be resolved prior to production and deployment.
Main Test & Evaluation (T&E) References
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Instruction: DoD Instruction 5000.89 “Test and Evaluation”
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Guide: DoD Test and Evaluation Management Guide – Dec 2010
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Guide: Incorporating Test and Evaluation into DoD Acquisition Contracts
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Guide: Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation Guidebook – 27 Oct 2015
Main Test & Evaluation (T&E) Life-Cycle Activities
- Test and Evaluation Strategy (TES)
- Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E)
- Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)
- Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
- Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E)
- Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP)
- Operational Assessment (OA)
- Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E)
- Qualification Test and Evaluation (QT&E)
- Software Test and Evaluation (ST&E)
Main Test & Evaluation (T&E) Life-Cycle Reviews
Test & Evaluation (T&E) Reports
The Program Manager (PM) is required to provide Test and Evaluation (T&E) reports to OSD T&E. These reports go to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and Sustainment (USD(A&S)).
- Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E)
- Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E)
- Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E)
Main Test & Evaluation (T&E) Oversight
T&E progress is monitored by The OSD Office of the Director Operational Test and Evaluation throughout the acquisition of a system and submitted T&E Reports. Their oversight extends to Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) or designated acquisitions.
Joint Test and Evaluation (T&E)
Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E) Program provides quantitative Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) information used for analyzing joint military capabilities and develops potential options for increasing military effectiveness.
Multi-Service Test and Evaluation (T&E)
Multi-Service Test and Evaluation is conducted by two or more Department of Defense (DoD) Components. It’s conducted for systems that will be acquired by more than one DoD component, or for a system that interfaces with another DoD component. All affected Services and their respective Operational Test Agencies (OTAs) participate in planning, conducting, reporting, and evaluating the multi-Service test program. One Service is designated the lead Service and is responsible for the management of the program. The lead Service is charged with the preparation and coordination of a single report that reflects the system’s operational effectiveness and suitability for each Service. [1]
Adaptive Acquisition Pathways Test & Evaluation (T&E)
The T&E process has been adapted to be part of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework by providing different T&E methods for each of the six pathways. The main instruction DoDI 5000.89 details conducting T&E with regard to each pathway.
T&E Working-level Integrated Product Team (T&E WIPT)
The T&E Working-level Integrated Product Team (T&E WIPT) guides the development a Test and Evaluation Strategy TES) and guides the execution of the Test and Evaluation (T&E) program. It should be established as early as possible during Material Solutions Analysis (MSA), and it should be chaired by a program office representative. Membership should consist of all Stakeholder organizations that require test data for Developmental Test, Operational Test or any other required certifications, and the user representative.
Test and Evaluation (T&E) Funding
T&E funds for testing are provided by congressional appropriation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which apportions the funds to the Services through the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). The PPBE Process formulates budget requests to Congress. Requests by PM for test resources are usually outlined in the TEMP. Generally, system development is funded from RDT&E funds until the system is operationally deployed and maintained. Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds are used for Follow-on T&E (FOT&E) and system maintenance. The weapon system materiel developer is also responsible for funding the development of new test resources specifically needed to test the weapon system.
AcqLinks and References:
- Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG)
- DoD Instruction 5000.89 “Test and Evaluation” – 19 Nov 2020
- DoD Directive 5000.01 “Defense Acquisition System”
- DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”
- Army Regulation 73-1 “Test and Evaluation Policy” – 1 Aug 2006
- Template: DAG Test and Evaluation Master Plan Template
- Template: Test and Evaluation Master Plan
- Guide: DoD Test & Evaluation Management Guide – Dec 2012
- Guide: Air Force Test & Evaluation Guidebook – Dec 2004
- Guide: DAU Test and Management Guide – Jan 2005
- 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
- Guide: Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation Guidebook – 27 Oct 2015
- Website: Title 10 USC 2366 “Survivability testing and lethality testing required before full-scale production”
- Website: 10 USC 2399 “Operational Test and Evaluation of Defense Programs”
- Website: Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC)
- Website: Army Test and Evaluation Command
- Website: Navy Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force
Updated: 8/9/2021
Rank: G2
