Capability Systems Design Workshop

This 16-hour self-paced, on-demand course builds on essential knowledge and skills required to confidently develop coherent and achievable JCNS, OCD, and Performance Specifications (PSPEC). Participants learn a proven method for accurately capturing user needs through structured mission and operational analysis, then translating those needs into well-written, traceable system requirements via functional analysis methods.

In addition to core learning content delivered in the Fundamentals of Capability Systems Design course, this course incorporates two carefully crafted four-hour practice workshops.  During each workshop, analysis is undertaken and captured in a simple-to-use, requirements management tool to reinforce learning and develop hands-on modelling skills.

• Workshop 1: Developing an Operational Concept Document (OCD) – 4 hrs
  Using a scenario driven approach, the workshop steps students through the critical tasks of identifying performers, developing operational activity diagrams, capturing operational items and developing user interfaces.  To complete the operational analysis, user needs are derived and documented, allowing the OCD to be automatically generated from the requirements management tool.
• Workshop 2: Developing a Performance Specification (PSPEC) – 4 hrs
  Using the user needs sets developed within the OCD, students use a range of functional analysis techniques essential to deriving a system’s functional, physical and interface requirements. Once a first pass of system requirements has been developed, the PSPEC is automatically generated from the requirements management tool.

Designed for requirement developers, systems engineers, project managers, and ILS professionals, this course delivers practical, actionable knowledge to address the challenges of capability system design in defense acquisition.

Participants receive a copy of the course presentation slides and access to curated course readings—ensuring they have the resources needed to reinforce learning, reference key concepts, and apply best practices long after completing the course.

Student testimonial: “Everyone moving into the realm of requirements development should take this course, especially requirements officers and systems engineers. The quality and breadth of user requirements will make or break an acquisition program; therefore, the practical knowledge and skills absorbed from this workshop will definitely help get users what they really need by getting a quality product across the fielding line.”