Research & Development Project Selection Model and Process Approach in Defense Industry Related Programs: First Phase - Concept Approval Decision

The defense "Research and Development" (R&D) projects are chancier and more costly than the civil R&D projects because of their complexity and interdisciplinary nature. Not only the risk and finance excess when comparing with the civil ones, but also the project selection process is also more complicated in the defense area. To complete an R&D project in an effective manner, a system approach has to be set to consider the life cycle as a whole. Only a well-defined R&D project has a success chance. Because of this reason, defining process of an R&D project is the most critical period in the integrated life cycle. It is very important to form a "Concepts of Operations" (CONOPS) document according to the requirements which is focus on the achievement, performance and basic technological necessities of the system. In this paper, for an influent selection of a defense related R&D project, a systematic process for an effective approach model beginning from CONOPS will be exhibited. A system approach will be discussed where the CONOPS document is in the life cycle and how the outputs of CONOPS can be used in the project definition process.