# 12 - MOEs, MOPs and TPMs

Let's start by defining these acronyms:

- MOEs: Measures Of Effectiveness

- MOPs: Measures Of Performance

- TPMs: Technical Performance Mesures

Following a recent discussion on this topic, I've come to realize that there is a lot of confusion around these concepts, so let's try to bring some clarification!

MOEs, which are stated from the acquirer (customer/user) viewpoint, are the acquirer's key indicators of achiving the needs for performance, suitability and affordability across the life cycle. The MOEs are used to validate the system at each stage of the design process and provide insight into some of the more subjective qualities desired by the acquirer that are not, or can not, be captured by hard requirements. Many of the "ilities" are used in MOEs where, for example, it may be very difficult to generate a shall statement on operability, but operability nevertheless remains an important characteristic.

MOPs measure attributes considered as important to ensure that the system has the capability to achieve operational objectives. MOPs are used to assess whether the system meets design or performance requirements that are necessary to satisfy the MOEs. MOPs should be derived from or provide insight for MOEs or other needs. MOPs are normally instantiations of the most important performance requirements and are used as a metric to track the system's ability to deliver as the design/development process proceeds.

TPMs are used to establish the performance goals we seek and track them to tell us if we are achieving the goal or deviating from it. TPM are derived from or provide insight for the MOPs focusing on the critical technical parameter of specific architectural elements of the system as it is designed and implemented. Mass is a common TPM, but we can also track about any technical parameter. TPMs are useful mechanisms for maintaining focus to ensure we get what we want out of the system we're designing and building.

 

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