I was saddened today to hear of the passing of George Heilmeier. He was the Director of DARPA when I worked there in the mid-70's. However, it seems almost every discussion makes note of what became known as his catechism, a set of questions that he expected to see answered in every so-called ARPA Order (the document which authorized funding for each project). In the Strategic Technology Office where I worked, I was familiar with a four question version: What's the Trick? What's the Plan? Who Cares? So What? My book contains more discussion of each. I didn't realize it at the time, but apparently this was quite a change from prior practice at DARPA. Nevertheless, I have always found it to be an extremely good checklist for any development proposal.
From other reminiscing sources, the full catechism had nine questions:
From other reminiscing sources, the full catechism had nine questions:
- What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon. What is the problem? Why is it hard?
- How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
- What's new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful?
- Who cares?
- If you're successful, what difference will it make? What impact will success have? How will it be measured?
- What are the risks and the payoffs?
- How much will it cost?
- How long will it take?
- What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success? How will progress be measured?