The EXA Way Supplement

Parsing Requirements into their Constituent Requirements

Page 225

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Suppose the RFP contains the following mandatory requirements: 

Bidders are required to provide comprehensive and thorough evidence that the maturity and readiness of their proposed technical solution will meet the project’s needs. This includes providing evidence of prior successful implementations, relevant technology readiness levels (TRLs), and a comprehensive Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) plan for their proposed solution. The TRA plan is not scored, but to be assessed as compliant, it must demonstrate that the proposed technology is (or will be) sufficiently mature to meet all aspects the project's requirements.  

This requirement is deceptively complex and it demands a significant level of effort to address. First, we decompose the requirement into its major elements. The requirement asks us to present three separate artifacts:

1.     Evidence of successful implementations of the proposed solution in past projects

2.     A TRA plan

3.     Evidence that the proposed technology is mature enough to meet the project’s needs 

We must further divide each artifact into their constituent elements, as follows:

1       Provide evidence of successful implementations of the proposed solution

1.1       Describe at least two past programs in which you successfully used the proposed solution.

1.2       Program 1:

1.2.1      Program Description

1.2.1.1     Purpose

1.2.1.2     Scope

1.2.1.3     Timeframe

1.2.1.4     Complexity

1.2.1.5     Outcomes

1.2.1.5.1    Describe the parameters that evaluated the success of the technology’s implementation on that program

1.2.2      Technology used in this program

1.2.2.1     Describe how the past technology is similar or identical to the proposed technology

1.2.2.2     Describe how the past technology addressed the program’s requirements

1.3       Program 2:

1.3.1      Program Description

1.3.1.1     Purpose

1.3.1.2     Scope

1.3.1.3     Timeframe

1.3.1.4     Complexity

1.3.1.5     Outcomes

1.3.1.5.1    Describe the parameters that evaluated the success of the technology’s implementation on that program

1.3.2      Technology used in this program

1.3.2.1     Describe how the past technology is similar or identical to the proposed technology

1.3.2.2     Describe how the past technology addressed the program’s requirements

2       Develop a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Plan

2.1       Describe the technology

2.2       Describe the TRL definitions and criteria

2.3       Identify the existing TRL assessment

2.4       Identify TRL gaps

2.5       Describe the TRL assessment methodology of gap remediations

2.6       Describe the plan schedule and milestones

2.6.1      Identify resources to major tasks in the schedule

2.7       Identify risks associated with the TRL assessment

2.8       Describe the testing and validation processes

3       Demonstrate how the proposed solution meets the project’s requirements

3.1       Identify the TRL requirements of the project

3.2       Review the proposed TRL as described in the TRA plan

3.3       Describe point-by-point how the proposed solution will meet the program’s requirements

Each of the above outline elements will require a narrative response together with supporting documentation and evidence. Because the plan is not scored, it is not necessary to provide extensive details in the narrative responses as long as you meet the mandatory requirements.  

Depending upon the technology being reviewed, the resulting response could range from twenty to one hundred pages.

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***Disclaimer: The information presented in this supplement is for information purposes only. It is not intended, and may not be used, as legal or business advice. The author makes no representations of warranty, accuracy, or fit for purpose of the information herein. Use at your own risk.