Integrate THIS!

This week I came a cross a bit more detail regarding the downfall of SynerComm, last year's dethroned winner of the BMDCS contract. 

If you recall the company's President and CEO, S. G. Pennyapple, promised us that SynerComm's program management approach, low cost systems engineering design and technical performance provides the DTDC the best possible offering for BMDCS success. 

What they didn't count on with their newfangled ERP system? Software integration and test. They should AT LEAST have had their software components interfacing with each other by IOA. Even a simple, "Hello, world!" from Radar to Mission Software would have sufficed. However, they decided to go in Guns-A-Blazin into their FOA integrating it all on the spot. Needless to say calamity broke loose. A high-ranking DTDC official had his chest hair singed from his body by an errant laser slew. Another key decision maker was forced to go WEEKS without a trip to the gym  as he worked overtime to justify to Congress why they should continue to fund the disasterous effort. 

His ultimate justification borne of late nights and undeserved protein shakes? The next BMDCS will come with an air-tight Software Integration and Test plan. Hopefully one of these contractors pays attention to whatever the SOW says about this topic. If they fail again to come up with a solid schedule, sound build plan, and terrific lab facilities, you can be sure we see BMDCS on the block again next year.