Establishing a product baseline for global positioning system satellites through functional and physical configuration audits

Abstract

Programs without a proper technical baseline will not be able to achieve cost, schedule, and/or performance objectives. The purpose of this thesis is to provide clear steps, methods, guidelines, and suggestions to mature the functional, allocated, and product baselines from the development baseline to the contract baseline for the acquisition of a Global Positioning System (GPS) space segment. Implementation of these recommendations will reduce cost and/or schedule for programs such as GPS across the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). The thesis better defines, recommends updates, and suggests tailoring for relevant sections in standards such as MIL-STD-1521B and MIL-STD-973. It narrows some of the policies established in the DoD 5000.2 and other commonly used space acquisition regulations while satisfying the GPS Wing System Engineering Plan (SEP) requirement for the completion of a Functional and Physical Configuration Audit (FCA/PCA). It also identifies some characteristics of conducting appropriate and efficient audits for space segment acquisition programs in the GPS Wing that can be adapted and applied to similar programs across SMC. Ultimately, this thesis attempts to set the foundation for SMC and/or Wing level plans, policies, and instructions used to establish the product baseline for space systems acquired at SMC.