When is an SRR typically conducted?

An SRR is typically conducted early in the system development lifecycle, after the initial requirements have been documented and baselined. It serves as a crucial checkpoint before significant design effort begins.

Why is the SRR so important for government contractors?

For government contractors, a successful SRR demonstrates to the government that the contractor understands the system requirements and has a plan for meeting them. This is critical for securing funding and avoiding costly changes later in the project lifecycle.

SRR (System Requirements Review) | GovCon Glossary

SRR (System Requirements Review)

What is SRR (System Requirements Review)?

In government contracting, a System Requirements Review (SRR) is a formal, multi-disciplined technical review to ensure that the system requirements defined for a project are complete, consistent, and verifiable. It is a critical step in the system development lifecycle (SDLC), especially within the context of complex government contracts that involve significant technical deliverables.

Definition

The SRR is conducted to evaluate whether the defined system requirements adequately address the customer's needs and objectives, and whether they are feasible to implement within budget and schedule constraints. The review typically involves examining requirement documentation, interface control documents, and preliminary design concepts. This process identifies risks, resolves inconsistencies, and ensures that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of what the system must achieve. Successful completion of the SRR is often a prerequisite for moving into detailed design and development phases. The SRR is vitally important because flaws introduced at this phase can lead to exponentially increasing rework costs down the line.

The SRR often relies heavily on documents deliverable to the government called Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs). These are formal government requirements laid out at the start of the contract. Contractors must demonstrate they can meet these CDRLs, or risk non-compliance and possible financial penalties.

Key Points

Early Validation: SRR validates requirements early in the lifecycle, reducing the likelihood of costly rework later.
Stakeholder Alignment: SRR ensures that all stakeholders, including the government, end-users, and the contractor's team, have a common understanding of the system requirements.
Risk Mitigation: SRR identifies potential risks associated with the requirements, such as technical infeasibility or conflicting requirements.
Basis for Design: The SRR provides a solid foundation for the subsequent system design phase.

Practical Examples

Developing a New Software System for the DoD: A contractor developing a new software system for the Department of Defense would undergo an SRR to ensure that the software requirements meet the specific needs of the warfighter and comply with relevant security regulations.
Modernizing a Legacy IT System for a Federal Agency: A contractor tasked with modernizing a legacy IT system for a federal agency would conduct an SRR to ensure that the modernized system meets current operational requirements and integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
Building a Command and Control System for DHS: A contractor building a new command and control system for the Department of Homeland Security would have an SRR to guarantee the system effectively supports border security operations and complies with relevant interoperability standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

During an SRR, stakeholders review documented system requirements, including functional, performance, interface, and security requirements, to ensure they align with the project's objectives and user needs. Identified discrepancies or gaps are addressed before proceeding to the system design phase.