Published: August 3, 2005

The primary objective of Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition is to acquire quality products (systems) that satisfy user needs with measurable improvements to mission capability and operational support in a timely manner, and at a fair and reasonable price. This guide supports that objective. It addresses reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) as essential elements of mission capability. It focuses on what can be done to achieve satisfactory levels of RAM and how to assess RAM.

Chapter One introduces RAM, what it is, why it is important, current RAM problems in the DoD, and activities appropriate to achieving satisfactory levels. These topics are developed further in subsequent chapters.

Chapter Two provides an overview of the four key steps for achieving RAM. It is intended for a broader audience including system users who develop capability documents, development and acquisition staffs, the testing community, and contractors. The chapter focuses on the management and the technical processes for achieving satisfactory levels of RAM. Chapters three through six addresses each of the four key steps in greater detail.

This guidebook includes an extensive set of commercial and government references at the end of each chapter.

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