FLIP/BLIP : A Forward Looking Metric for Evaluating and Managing Satellite Integration & Test Schedules

Acquisition professionals, program managers in particular, rely on metrics to determine the performance and progress of acquisition programs. They often also try to use metrics to predict future performance. However, trying to use metrics to predict future performance is problematic because most metrics only reflect the past. Additionally, many metrics are often aggregated to such an extent that they do not evaluate performance in specific areas, e.g., a deliverable end unit or within a product Integrated Product Team (IPT). The Forward Looking Index of Performance (FLIP) was designed to partially address these deficiencies for an area of high schedule volatility and program dependency concern, such as integration and test. FLIP does not predict the future, but it does help a program manager rapidly evaluate the viability of a future schedule. FLIP is a simple metric calculated as Remaining Available Shifts divided by Remaining Planned Shifts. A corresponding metric for past performance, the Backward Looking Index of Performance (BLIP), applies the same principles as FLIP and provides an indication of past schedule performance. The Advanced EHF satellite program has successfully used FLIP and BLIP to measure the performance of Payload Assembly, Integration, and Test activities since April 2005