Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook

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one would not expect the same manufacturing maturity requirements for a low rateproduction item (e.g., satellite) as compared to a high rate production program (e.g.,ammunition, radios). However, in both cases there should be an adequatedemonstration of manufacturing maturity, albeit different specific requirements, toensure the program can achieve the cost, schedule, and performance requirements atthe next level. The MRL process recognizes the uniqueness of every program andconsequently it may not be cost effective to achieve the entire MRL target. However, itis essential that the uniqueness of the situation be assessed and agreed upon by keydecision makers and that the risk is well understood before proceeding. Someexamples that demonstrate how the scope may change are as follows:• During the MSA Phase an assessment may be conducted for a particularprototype conceptual design in the context of an AoA. Early consideration ofproducibility and affordability of a particular concept allows for adjustments todesign margins before expensive testing or commitment to the achievedperformance makes those changes irreversible. It also helps identifymanufacturing technologies/capabilities that need to be developed in the nextphase. The nominal MRL target would be 4 as an entrance criterion forMilestone A.• In the early stages of TD, an examination of the producibility of a proposeddesign allows for trades on cost, performance, and schedule to beaccomplished when it is significantly easier to make changes and wherechanges potentially have a greater impact on key performance metrics. Thenominal MRL target would be in the range of 4 to 5.• In a source selection for EMD, assessments can aid in determining thematurity of the design relative to the offeror’s ability to achieve projected costor schedule targets. The assessment would define manufacturing progressand risk for the next phase and ensure prototype hardware was produced in arelevant environment. The nominal MRL target would be 6 as an entrancecriterion for Milestone B.• At CDR, it is necessary to examine integration processes such as assembly,installation, and test. When a subsystem and/or component (e.g.,battery/circuit card) is built by a prime contractor or supplier, both assemblyand test processes should be examined in an integrated process flow. At thesystem level (e.g., missile), components require assembly processes,intermediate test processes, installation, and final acceptance testing. Allwork breakdown structure levels must be considered to effectively gauge theability to meet projected cost and schedule targets. The nominal MRL targetwould be 7.• If the assessment is being conducted on a pilot production line, emphasis willbe placed on understanding what the production capability and capacity is tomeet program objectives in cost, schedule (e.g., low rate production rates)and performance and to anticipate whether there will be any problem with full4-3
ate production processes. The nominal MRL target would be 8 as anentrance criterion for Milestone C.4.3 DETERMINE ASSESSMENT TAXONOMY AND SCHEDULEThe assessment taxonomy encompasses what will be assessed, where theassessments will take place, and who will lead the assessment.The government program/project office, in conjunction with the prime contractor,should make an early determination of potential issues by breaking out system,subsystem, or component level for analysis and then determining the applicability ofcomponents for evaluation. Consideration should also be given to associated test andassembly processes. The following questions have been developed to assist in thedetermination of elements to be assessed. All Critical Technology Elements and othersignificant areas of the work breakdown structure or bill of materials should be subjectto the following filtering questions. Any “yes” responses imply that an assessment ofmanufacturing readiness may be needed for that element as a function of risk.Materials: Are there materials which have not been demonstrated in similarproducts or manufacturing processes?Cost: Is this item a driver that significantly impacts life-cycle cost (development,unit, or operations and support costs)? Is the technology new with high costuncertainty?Design: Is the item design novel or does it contain nonstandard dimensions ortolerances or arrangements?Manufacturing Process: Will the item require the use of manufacturingtechnology, processes, inspection, or capabilities that are unproven in the currentenvironment?Quality: Does the item have historical/anticipated yield or quality issues?Schedule: Does this item have lead time issues or does it significantly impactschedule?Facilities: Does this item require a new manufacturing facility or scale up ofexisting facilities (i.e., new capability or capacity)?Supply Chain Management: Does the item have anticipated or historical subtiersupplier problems (e.g., cost, quality, delivery)?Industrial Base: Does the item have an industrial base footprint with criticalshortfalls or is this a critical item manufactured by a sole or foreign source?It is rarely feasible to visit every supplier of every material, component andassembly to examine the status of their key manufacturing processes. Some elements4-4
Page 1 and 2: Manufacturing ReadinessLevel (MRL)
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS1. Introduction ...........
Page 5: APPENDICESA. Detailed MRL Definitio
Page 8 and 9: This page is intentionally left bla
Page 10 and 11: contract, modern technology, produc
Page 12 and 13: considerations is needed to ensure
Page 14 and 15: • Are materials and tooling avail
Page 16 and 17: circumstances a program is facing,
Page 18 and 19: 2. Manufacturing Readiness Levels2.
Page 20 and 21: This level of readiness acts as an
Page 22 and 23: At this level, the system, componen
Page 24 and 25: the maximum extent practical, the p
Page 26 and 27: • Manufacturing Management: Requi
Page 28 and 29: 3. MRLs and the Acquisition Managem
Page 30 and 31: matures so that manufacturing matur
Page 32 and 33: Other important outputs of the asse
Page 34 and 35: If any risk areas are found to fall
Page 36 and 37: During EMD, assessments of manufact
Page 38 and 39: for Milestone C will decide if the
Page 40 and 41: 4. The Process for Conducting Asses
Page 44 and 45: should be assessed on-site and othe
Page 46 and 47: It is also important for the progra
Page 48 and 49: 4. Contractor overview and discussi
Page 50 and 51: Finally, the assessment team should
Page 52 and 53: The report may also provide informa
Page 54 and 55: • Understanding of the potential
Page 56 and 57: o Prevent the adoption of a technol
Page 58 and 59: program element will be achieved by
Page 60 and 61: perform or support these assessment
Page 64 and 65: Table A-1. Manufacturing Readiness
Page 74 and 75: Table A-6 Manufacturing Readiness L
Page 80 and 81: IMSITRJDMTPKCLRIPMDAMMPMRLMSMSANASA

Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook

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