NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 7120.8 Effective Date: February 05, 2008 Expiration Date: February 05, 2013

Subject: NASA Research and Technology Program and Project Management Requirements

Responsible Office: Office of the Chief Engineer

Table of Contents

Preface

P.1 Purpose
P.2 Applicability
P.3 Authority
P.4 Applicable Documents
P.5 Measurement/Verification
P.6 Cancellation

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1 Background
1.2 Overview of Management Process
1.3 Document Structure

Chapter 2. NASA Life Cycles for Managing Research and Technology

2.1 Programs
2.1.1 Program Definition and Life Cycle
Figure 2.1.1 R&T Program Life Cycle

2.2 Research and Technology Projects
2.2.1 Project Definitions And Life Cycles

Figure 2.2.1 Technology Development Project Life Cycle (Chapter 4)
Figure 2.2.2 R&T Portfolio Project Life Cycle (Chapter 5)
Figure 2.2.3 Portfolio Cycle (Chapter 5)

2.2.2 Meta-Data Manager (MDM)
2.2.3 Strategic Acquisition Planning

2.3 R&T Program, Technology Development (TD) Project, and R&T Portfolio Project Oversight and Approval

Table 2.3.1 Summary of Authorities for R&T Programs
Table 2.3.2 Summary of Authorities for R&T Projects

2.4 Program and Project Reviews

Chapter 3. R&T Program Requirements

3.1 Overview Of Roles And Responsibilities
3.2 Specific Roles And Responsibilities
3.3 R&T Program Management Process

3.3.1 R&T Program Pre-Formulation
3.3.2 R&T Program Key Decision Point (KDP) 0 - Approval To Initiate R&T Program Formulation
3.3.3 R&T Program Formulation
3.3.4 R&T Program KDP I - Approval To Initiate R&T Program Implementation
3.3.5 R&T Program Implementation
3.3.6 R&T Program KDP N - Approval To Discontinue R&T Program

Figure 3.5.1 Relationship between Agency Programs and Cross-Program Research
Table 3.5.1 Cross-Program Management Structure

3.4 R&T Program Status Reviews and Independent Assessments (IA)
3.5 Cross-Program Research Management
3.6 Process for Handling Dissenting Opinions
3.7 Technical Authority (TA)
3.8 Research Practices
3.9 Unsolicited Proposals
3.10 R&T Misconduct
3.11 Waiver Approval Authority
Table 3.11.1 Waiver Approval for R&T Programs and Projects

Chapter 4. Technology Development (TD) Project Requirements

4.1 Overview
4.1.1 Technology Development Project
4.1.2 Description of TD Project Life Cycle

4.2 Project Pre-Formulation

4.3 Project Formulation
4.3.1 Overview
4.3.2 Customer/Beneficiary Definition
4.3.3 Identification of Technology Needs
4.3.4 Systems Analysis and Technology Prioritization
4.3.5 Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)
4.3.6 TD Project Plan

4.4 Project Approval

4.5 Project Implementation
4.5.1 Project Management Principles
4.5.2 Independent Assessments and Optional KDPs
4.5.3 Status Reviews

4.6 Project Transition/Closure
4.6.1 Technology Transition/Closure
4.6.2 Closeout Review
4.6.3 Data Archiving and Publication

4.7 Evaluation
4.7.1 Technology Maturity Assessment
4.7.2 Assessment Process

4.8 Requirements Flow Down For Project Elements

Chapter 5. R&T Portfolio Project Requirements

5.1 Overview
5.1.1 R&T Portfolio Projects
Table 5.1.1 R&T Portfolio Project Management Structure

5.2 R&T Portfolio Project
5.2.1 Project Life Cycle
5.2.2 Project Pre-Formulation
5.2.3 Project Formulation
5.2.4 Project Approval
5.2.5 Project Implementation
5.2.6 R&T Portfolio Project Transition/Closure

5.3 Requirements Flow Down For Project Elements

Appendix A. Definition of Terms

Appendix B. Acronyms

Appendix C. R&T Program Formulation Authorization Document (FAD) Template

Figure C-1 R&T Program Formulation Authorization Document Title Page

Appendix D. R&T Program Commitment Agreement (PCA) Template

Figure D-1 R&T Program Commitment Agreement Title Page
Figure D-2 Sample R&T Program Commitment Agreement Activities Log

Appendix E. R&T Program Plan Template

Appendix F. Cross-Program Research Plan Template

Figure F-1 Cross-Program Research Plan Title Page

Appendix G. R&T Project Formulation Authorization (FAD) Document Template

Figure G-1 R&T Project Formulation Authorization Document Title Page

Appendix H. Technology Development Project Plan Template

Figure H-1 Technology Development Project Plan Title Page

Appendix I. R&T Portfolio Project Plan Template

Figure I-1 R&T Portfolio Project Plan Title Page

Appendix J. Technology Readiness Levels (TRLS)

Appendix K. Research And Technology Project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Figure K-1 TD Project WBS (formerly Advanced Technology Development WBS)
Figure K-2 R&T Portfolio Project WBS (formerly Basic and Applied Research Portfolio WBS)

Appendix L. References

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