Business Case for Using Modeling and Simulation in Developmental Testing

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) technology uses models to develop data as a basis for making managerial or technical decisions. M&S can be a valuable tool for decision-makers but it is usually under-used. The United States Army Developmental Test Command (DTC) is leveraging M&S to accomplish its missions through the Virtual Proving Ground (VPG) Program. DTC supplies a customer decision-maker, usually a Program Manager (PM), with data on the cost- effectiveness of new virtual and physical test technologies in order to plan test activities. DTC requires a methodology to develop a business plan that supports the use of M&S and to provide a cost benefit analysis of particular virtual test capabilities. DTC commissioned independent studies of past test programs to estimate the costs to achieve the same scope of testing, as tested using available virtual test techniques and as using previous, less VPG- intensive test methodologies. The studies showed that virtual testing provided significant cost benefits to each PM. An objective is to examine cost avoidance results from those studies and additional data with a methodology consistent with current cost estimation guidance to determine a return on investment relationship. This thesis will endeavor to establish an equitable methodology for accounting or realizing the direct benefits associated with using M&S in testing. The details of the steps will be developed as necessary to perform a business case analysis.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Business Case for Using Modeling and Simulation in Developmental Testing', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423526438 and ISBN 1423526430.