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Original Date: 04/28/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Mission Success
Mission Success is a guiding principle for Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles (E&M). It has evolved as a core value and is a well-defined, closed-loop, “super” process. The Mission Success process includes key components within which the company's 12 Best Practices and Total Quality Management (TQM) standards are embedded:
Providing required tools for integrated product development.
Selecting qualified employees with adequate training.
Developing error free designs.
Using approved parts and materials.
Using current manufacturing process (MP) plans.
Ensuring adequate test equipment and manufacturing facilities.
Working only to correct procedures.
Maintaining rigorous configuration and inventory control.
Implementing corrective actions.
Using independent verification and validation tests.
Using qualification tests that do not miss requirements.
Conducting reviews that concentrate on designs, test plans, and test results.
Applying system tests that assure design and workmanship are error free.
The Mission Success process is implemented through top-down commitment and individual responsibility at all levels. Program execution responsibility for each program is focused through the Mission Area Vice-President (under whom the program resides) to the Program Director and the Integrated Product Team (IPT). Process ownership for Mission Success is concentrated through the Technical Operations Vice-President and the Mission Area Technical Director to the IPT. This approach ensures process consistency and discipline throughout the company, with sensitivity and responsiveness to the requirements of individual programs.
The Mission Success process is composed of a number of important sub-processes. One critical process is Design Assurance, an example of Lockheed Martin's proactive quality thrusts. Design Assurance uses a team approach to verify design solutions or identify design problems requiring attention. The key process components are to develop and teach the design standard, and follow up with timely, off-program reviews with technical experts. The reviews are held in an informal setting with emphasis on addressing and resolving problems, and subcontractors and key suppliers are actively involved. The process has been well received as evidenced by feedback rating the process excellent to outstanding in identifying problems and providing a good return on time and funds. Another effective element of the Mission Success process is the corporate lessons-learned database which is accessible through a home page on the Internet. This captures key aspects of learning that can be used to adjust and improve the process, as well as to avoid traps.
Mission Success as a process has been responsible for a highly successful record of flight and firing tests. On the five current key missile and smart munitions programs, the overall rate of successful flight and firing tests in nearly 500 attempts is 95% and is continuously improving. During the first quarter of 1995, the success rate for tests in all major programs (22 firings) at Lockheed Martin E&M was 100%.
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