An ontology‐based digital test and evaluation master plan (dTEMP) compliant with DoD policy

Abstract

Test and evaluation (TE) planning is a critical part of systems engineering. However, it has not received as much attention from digital engineering efforts as early-stage design and analysis. Digital engineering has the potential to reduce the risk and effort associated with TE, while leveraging existing digital capabilities to add value. One aspect in particular that may benefit from such attention is the Department of Defense's Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP). The purpose of the TEMP is to identify the key processes with respect to the TE of a product, and to specify the roles and responsibilities of key personnel and organizations. Concerns have been raised regarding the document-based nature of the TEMP and the increased risk and reduced reward that this entails. In this paper, we investigate the potential benefits of digitalizing the TEMP and outline an incremental approach for achieving this. We also present a set of ontologies, collectively known as the Digital TEMP (dTEMP), and investigate potential benefits and limitations by applying the dTEMP to an example test program.