Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook

11. Tests to be runo Describe how the test environment relates to the manufacturingenvironment12. Threshold performance to be met13. MRL to be achieved and when it will be achieved5.3 RISK MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICESThe following best practices are applicable to both acquisition program managersfor all programs of record and managers for all technology development projects anddemonstrations and pre-systems acquisition programs intending to transition to the TDPhase of acquisition at Milestone A or into a program of record at Milestone B or C.The best practices are categorized into five areas.1. Recognize the importance of manufacturing and mitigating manufacturing riskto the success of a program/projecto Accept manufacturing risk management as a basic responsibility, on apar with the management of any other risko Recognize that mitigating manufacturing risk can be the key ingredientof success in transitioning a product or process technology to aprogram of recordo Recognize manufacturing risk and readiness as key factors in definingand achieving program/project cost, schedule and performance goals2. Manage manufacturing risko Incorporate the management of manufacturing readiness, risk, andcost into the basic fabric of managing the program/projecto Assess, plan, budget, and manage to reach manufacturing maturityand cost targets. For technology development projects, incorporatethe target MRL (typically MRL 6) to support the technology transitionplan. For programs of record, the target MRLs for CDR, LRIP, andFRP are 7, 8, and 9 respectivelyo Conduct assessments of manufacturing readiness to increase theprobability of program success and integrate the results into a broadereffort to manage manufacturing risk. These assessments should leadto action-oriented decisions5-3