MSFC-HDBK-3173, MULTIPROGRAM/PROJECT COMMON-USE DOCUMENT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM ENGINEERING HANDBOOK (30 MAY 2001) [SUPERSEDING MM 7120.2, MSFC PROJECT MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK AND MSFC-HDBK-1912, MSFC SYSTEMS ENGINEERING HANDBOOK]

MSFC-HDBK-3173, MULTIPROGRAM/PROJECT COMMON-USE DOCUMENT: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM ENGINEERING HANDBOOK (30 MAY 2001) [SUPERSEDING MM 7120.2, MSFC PROJECT MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK AND MSFC-HDBK-1912, MSFC SYSTEMS ENGINEERING HANDBOOK]., This handbook provides the basic processes and general guidance for the life cycle of all programs and projects managed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). It is intended to be used for projects that provide aerospace products, technologies, data, and operational services (aeronautics, space, and ground). It also serves as an information source for projects such as non-flight infrastructure, Construction of Facilities (CofF), and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and also for research and analysis projects. Several topics will be repeated throughout the handbook to emphasize their continued importance during the lifecycle of the project. While many of the management principles and practices described in this book apply to both program and project management, the emphasis of the document is to describe the management and systems engineering necessary for project development. Therefore, in general the document refers only to project management and systems engineering. Readers interested in program management principles should be able to also apply this information to the program level. While all process activities and general guidance are addressed, program and Project Managers, working with their systems engineers, should tailor implementation to the specific needs of the program/project consistent with program/project size, complexity, criticality, and risk. Tailoring is a mechanism to encourage innovation and achieve products in an efficient manner while meeting the expectations of the customer. Results of the tailoring will be documented in Program Commitment Agreements (PCAs), Program Plans, and Project Plans. All programs and projects must comply with applicable MSFC directives, requirements established by law, regulations, Executive Orders, and Agency directives. The purpose of this handbook is to combine the MM 7120.2, MSFC Project Management Handbook, and the MSFC-HDBK-1912, MSFC Systems Engineering Handbook, and define the contemporary practices and policies employed at MSFC in the management of projects and execution of the systems engineering processes. This document is not intended to be a specification for future projects, but is to be used as a guide both in the management of projects and in the development of plans for future projects. It will also serve as an orientation for newcomers and outsiders to the processes used at MSFC in the project management and systems engineering employed in the development of space systems.