2.2 An Overview of the SE
    Engine by Project Phase
FIGURE 2.2-1 conceptually illustrates how the SE
engine is used during each phase of a project (Pre-
Phase A through Phase F). The life cycle phases are
described in TABLE 2.2-1. FIGURE 2.2-1 is a conceptual
diagram. For full details, refer to the poster version
of this figure, which is located at https://nen.nasa.gov/
web/se/doc-repository.

The uppermost horizontal portion of this chart is
used as a reference to project system maturity, as the
project progresses from a feasible concept to an as-de-
ployed system; phase activities; Key Decision Points
(KDPs); and major project reviews. The next major
horizontal band shows the technical development

                                                Formulation                                          Approval                             Implementation
                              Pre-Phase A:                    Phase A:                  Phase B:                 Phase C:                     Phase D:                   Phase E:        Phase F:
                            Concept Studies             Concept & Technology      Preliminary Design &        Final Design &             System Assembly,              Operations &      Closeout
                                                           Development           Technology Completion          Fabrication          Integration & Test, Launch        Sustainment

                                                                                                          Allocated       Product
                         Feasible Concept               Top-Level Architecture    Functional Baseline     Baseline        Baseline                                As-Deployed Baseline



                        Key Decision Points:

                        Major Reviews:


                                      ?                                  ?                  ?                                                  ?
                             4.1                                                                                 4.1




Technical Development
                                                                                                                                                                                ?
                             4.2     5.5                                                                         4.2                          5.5
                                                                                                                                                                                ?
                             4.3     5.4                                                                         4.3                           5.4

                             4.4     5.3       5.2                                                               4.4
                                                                                                                                              5.3       5.2
                              ?      5.1                       ?                     ?                            ?       5.1




                                    6.1                            6.1                    6.1                      6.1                        6.1                         6.1               6.1
                                    6.2




Technical Management
                                    6.3
                                    6.4
                                    6.5
                                    6.6
                                    6.7
                                    6.8                            6.8                    6.8                      6.8                        6.8                         6.8               6.8




                                                              FIGURE 2.2-1 Miniature Version of the Poster-Size NASA Project Life Cycle
                                                              Process Flow for Flight and Ground Systems Accompanying this Handbook
