Ben Kassel, Bruce Kaplan: Advancing DOD’s Digital Engineering Strategy Requires Work in Model-Based Technical Data

Ben Kassel and Bruce Kaplan of LMI wrote in an opinion piece published Wednesday on C4ISRNET the Department of Defense should pursue the implementation of its digital engineering strategy by advancing the availability of model-based technical data in policy.

“Federal guidance on the acquisition, creation, use and management of authentic, model-based technical data would jump-start the movement toward digital sustainment,” they wrote.

They said DOD leaders should educate program management offices on how to strategically acquire the needed technical data rights and identify potential sustainment platforms.

Kassel and Kaplan called on DOD to assert its rights to model-based technical data by helping establish “unprecedented trust” between PMOs and original equipment manufacturers.

“Limited-rights agreements and trusted third-party arrangements can be tailored to enable data availability only when needed or to execute specific solutions. Giving OEMs confidence in these approaches will entail extensive dialogue and commitment by DoD leaders,” they noted.

Aside from ensuring the availability of technical data, they said the Pentagon should help eliminate inter- and intra-organizational stovepipes and ensure the security of data storage and transmission.

Kassel is a senior consultant at LMI and Kaplan is a fellow at the nonprofit consulting firm.