Since my confirmation as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) in 2009, I have implemented initiatives to improve the quality of test and evaluation (T&E) within the Department of Defense. I have emphasized early engagement of testers in the requirements process, improving system suitability by designing reliability into systems from the outset, and integrating developmental, operational, and live fire testing. Implementing these initiatives has revealed the need for an additional area of focus - the requirement to incorporate statistical rigor in planning, executing, and...

Since my confirmation as Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) in 2009, I have implemented initiatives to improve the quality of test and evaluation (T&E) within the Department of Defense. I have emphasized early engagement of testers in the requirements process, improving system suitability by designing reliability into systems from the outset, and integrating developmental, operational, and live fire testing. Implementing these initiatives has revealed the need for an additional area of focus - the requirement to incorporate statistical rigor in planning, executing, and...