PAT-077 - ORR - Operational Readiness Milestone Review Checklist

The Operational Readiness Review (ORR) exit criteria outlined in NASA-HDBK-2203, Topic 7.09, ensure that the software is tested, verified, validated, and ready for operational use in support of the mission or system. The ORR evaluates whether the software is capable of reliably performing its intended functions and interacting with hardware, systems, and operational environments, with all risks mitigated, documentation prepared, and users trained.

Summary of Software ORR Exit Criteria

1. Verification and Validation Completed:
   • All software requirements must be fully verified (proven that the software meets specifications) and validated (proven that the software fulfills its intended purpose in the operational environment).
   • Test results and reports must confirm that the software has passed all required acceptance tests.
2. Software Functionality and Performance:
   • The software must demonstrate its functionality and performance under operational conditions, meeting all mission requirements.
   • Software system interfaces (hardware, other systems) must function correctly.
3. Integration and Compatibility:
   • Software must be fully integrated with hardware, other system components, and external interfaces, ensuring compatibility and smooth operation.
   • Any issues arising during integration testing must be resolved or have mitigation plans in place.
4. Operational Environment Confirmation:
   • The software must successfully operate within its defined mission environment, including ground systems, flight systems, or external operational settings.
   • Critical compliance with any environmental constraints (e.g., reliability, real-time performance, safety-critical operations) must be demonstrated.
5. Safety and Security Validation:
   • Software safety-critical requirements must be validated, ensuring no unacceptable hazards or risks exist.
   • Cybersecurity protections must be verified to safeguard against threats, including vulnerabilities affecting operations.
6. Risk Assessments and Mitigation:
   • All software-related risks (technical, operational, schedule) must be addressed and mitigated to acceptable levels.
   • A documented plan for ongoing risk management during operations must be provided.
7. Configuration Management:
   • Final software configuration (including source code, binaries, libraries, and documentation) must be baselined and approved.
   • The software version delivered must comply with configuration control processes ensuring consistency across operational environments.
8. Training and Procedures:
   • Operational and end-user personnel must be trained to interact with the software effectively.
   • Operational procedures, user manuals, contingency plans, and troubleshooting guides must be complete and available.
9. Documentation Completion:
   • All documentation, including the Software Requirements Specification (SRS), test results, user manuals, and operational procedures, must be complete, reviewed, and approved.
   • Supporting materials must be accessible to stakeholders, users, and operations teams.
10. Stakeholder Approval:
    • Stakeholders, including mission managers, software engineers, operations teams, and assurance personnel, must confirm that the software is ready for operational use.
    • Formal approval from all relevant parties must be obtained to proceed into the operational phase.
11. Operational Support and Maintenance Plans:
    • A plan for software maintenance and operational support must be finalized, including processes for handling updates, patches, and issue resolution.
    • Long-term responsibilities for software maintenance must be assigned.

Key Purpose of Software ORR Exit Criteria

The ORR exit criteria ensure that:

• The software is rigorously tested, validated, and integrated, capable of performing its intended functions in the operational environment.
• All operational risks are mitigated, and users are properly trained.
• The software is ready to transition to full mission operations with stakeholder confidence in its reliability and performance.

Conclusion: The Software ORR Exit Criteria confirm operational readiness, ensuring that the software can perform successfully under real-world mission conditions. By addressing these criteria, NASA ensures that the software will support mission objectives effectively, minimizing operational risks and providing the tools necessary for sustained mission success.