AAC/ASC/ESC Process
For
Mission Assignment
Process Owner: ASC/XPO
Leslie Abner, DSN 674-8572
15 July 2010
Version 1.0
6/29/2010
0
AAC/ASC/ESC Cross-Product Center Process
Mission Assignment
Process Definition. This process guide describes Center-level tasks necessary to assign new acquisition
missions to acquisition directorates and Program Executive Officers (PEOs) at AFMC Product Centers
(hereafter referred to as “Centers”). Mission Assignment is defined as the designation of an AFMC
Center/Specialized Center that will be responsible for the work of managing the acquisition/sustainment
of weapon systems or programs.
1.0. Purpose and Scope. The purpose of this process is to formally define and document a repeatable,
effective mission assignment process used across AFMC product Centers. The outcome of this
process is the designation of lead and, if necessary, supporting acquisition directorates as well as the
responsible PEO. It leverages existing processes used at the different Centers as well as HQ AFMC
policy on Mission Assignment (MA). The process starts with notification from HQ AFMC/A8/9 of
a pending mission assignment or when in receipt of official MA notification and ends when the MA
action is assigned to an acquisition program directorate and PEO.
2.0. Process Description.
2.1. Roles & Responsibilities
2.1.1. HQ AFMC/A8/9: Designates MA responsibilities (to include designation of the
System Support Manager) to Centers.
2.1.2. Center XP offices: Serves as central point of entry into the Center for mission
assignment; prepares, coordinates, recommends, and monitors MA actions; maintains
repository of MA actions; maintains lessons learned; determines process effectiveness
and recommends improvement actions; ensures HQ AFMC is notified of MA actions or
intentions initiated outside the official chain (i.e., AFMC Mission Assignment process
not followed).
2.1.3. PEOs/Acquisition Directorates: Coordinates with Center XP office on pending mission
assignment actions; receives and plans for new mission assignments; initiates resource
planning, personnel sourcing, and programming actions when necessary; notifies
Center XP office when mission assignment actions or intentions are received outside
the official chain.
2.1.4. Center Leadership (CC, CV, or CA): Assigns/approves new missions to acquisition
directorates and PEOs.
2.2. Process Flow. The following expands and explains the process flow steps in Figure 1.
2.2.1. When necessary, HQ AFMC communicates and coordinates pending MA actions with
Center XP offices. This pre-assignment dialogue is critical when assignment of new
missions to a specific Center is not clear or when multiple Centers have lead/supporting
responsibilities. Center XP offices, in turn, coordinate with potential gaining
acquisition directorates. The goal of the pre-assignment phase is for HQ AFMC to be
fully informed before proceeding to the assignment phase. [Steps 1a, 2a, 3a]
6/29/2010
1
2.2.2. The formal process starts with HQ AFMC issuing a MA letter to the appropriate
Center(s). Multiple Centers may potentially be designated for the same new mission.
In these cases, HQ AFMC will clearly articulate each Center’s responsibilities (lead
versus supporting roles). [Step 1b, 2b]
2.2.3. After receipt of the HQ AFMC MA letter, the Center XP office will coordinate with
potential gaining lead and supporting acquisition directorates within the Center.
Example: At ASC, the Mobility Directorate may be the lead for a new light mobility
aircraft, but the Agile Combat Support Directorate may be designated as a supporting
directorate to manage the propulsion system for this new aircraft. Building on this same
example, the airframe of this light mobility aircraft could be similar to the airframe of
an existing platform in the Fighter Bomber Directorate. This coordination step would
assist in determining lead and support responsibilities. The goal of this set of steps is
for XP to be able to make an informed recommendation to Center leadership on MA
responsibilities. [Steps 2c, 3b]
2.2.4. Center leadership approves MA actions. This approval may be obtained via an existing
executive board structure or through other means, depending on the scope of the MA
action and Center-unique procedures. [Step 2d]
2.2.5. If not previously accomplished, gaining acquisition directorates submit resource
planning, personnel sourcing, and programming documentation for action. Centerunique processes govern how this step is accomplished. [Step 3c]
2.2.6. System Support Manger (SSM) responsibilities are assigned by HQ AFMC. This
assignment will typically occur at the time of Product Center MA. If an SSM MA was
not accomplished, contact HQ AFMC/A8X for status. Center XP offices will notify the
lead directorate of SSM assignment. [Steps 1c, 2f, 3d]
2.2.7. Center XPs collaborate with other Centers (identified within the MA) to share assigned
Directorate contact information. [Step 2e, 2f]
2.2.8. Center XP personnel store key MA-related correspondence in a repository and notifies
the Center owner of the Acquisition Master List (AML) of the action. [Step 2e]
3.0. Process Audit. Each Center XP office will track the timeliness and effectiveness of MA actions.
Timeliness is measured from receipt of the MA letter from HQ AFMC to Center leadership decision
on gaining acquisition directorate and PEO. Effectiveness is a subjective metric. Center XP offices
and HQ AFMC/A8/9 will meet annually to verify process timeliness & effectiveness, share lessons
learned and best practices, and recommend improvements to the process. Until designated
otherwise, ASC/XP is the lead Center for this process and will schedule and manage all meetings.
Send all suggested improvements to this process to [email protected].
6/29/2010
2
Figure 1
Mission Assignment Process
Acquisition Directorate
Center XP
HQ AFMC/A8/9
Pre-Assignment Phase
6/29/2010
1a
MA
Coordination
2a
MA
Coordination
3a
MA
Coordination
SSM Assignment
Phase
Assignment Phase
1b
Issue Formal
MA Letter
2b
Receipt of
AFMC MA
Letter
1c
Assigns SSM
2c
Coordinates
with Potential
Gaining
Directorates
2d
Coordinates
with Center
Leadership /
Notifies
Directorate &
PEO of
Leadership's
Decision
3b
Coordinates
MA Action with
XP
3c
Initiates
Resourcing
Actions (if
necessary
2e
Updates MA
Library &
Notifies Owner
of Acq Master
List (AML)
2f
Informs
Directorate of
SSM
Assignment
3d
Receives SSM
Assignment
Letter
3
Enclosure A
Version
1.0
6/29/2010
Record of Changes
Effective Date
Summary
15 Jul 10
Basic document
4