Early Operational Assessment (EOAs)
DAU GLOSSARY DEFINITION
Typically an analysis, conducted in accordance with an approved test plan, of the program's progress in identifying operational design constraints, developing system capabilities, and mitigating program risks. For programs that enter development at Milestone B, the lead operational test agency (OTA) will (as appropriate) prepare and report EOA results after program initiation and prior to the Critical Design Review.
An Operational Assessment is an evaluation of operational effectiveness and operational suitability made by an independent operational test activity (OTA), with user support as required, on other than production systems. (DAU Glossary) The focus of an OA is on significant trends noted in development efforts, programmatic voids, risk areas, adequacy of requirements, and the ability of the program to support adequate operational testing. An OA may be conducted at any time using technology demonstrators, prototypes, mock-ups, engineering development models (EDM) or simulations, but will not substitute for an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) required for the Full Rate Production Decision Review. The PM can request the OTA conduct an Early Operational Assessment (EOA) of prototype items of equipment. The EOA’s purpose is to help the PM identify and reduce program risk before program initiation. DoDI 5000.02 requires that the lead OTA will prepare and report results of one or more early OAs (EOAs) as appropriate in support of one or more of the design phase life-cycle events (namely, the CDD Validation, the Development Request for Proposal (RFP) Decision Point, or Milestone B). An EOA is typically an analysis, conducted in accordance with an approved test plan, of the program’s progress in identifying operational design constraints, developing system capabilities, and mitigating program risks.