Problem Identification Phase
This phase starts with the assembly and analysis of
data from the fleet and other sources. This data shows
the performance and support of shipboard equipment,
and helps identify the equipment that needs the most
attention. The Fleet Maintenance Support Office and
the Maintenance Support Office work together to rank
the most serious equipment problems. They use
information from the fleet and other sources to produce
reports of those rankings. They depend especially on
data from the Consolidated CASREP System and the
3-M systems’ MDCS.
The DART program director (DPD) uses the
reports and past experience to nominate equipment for
the DART program. CNO, SYSCOMs, fleet
commanders, and program managers (PMs) may
recommend equipment to be added to the DART
program. If the recommendation is justified, the DPD
prepares an Equipment Nomination Report. The
equipment in the DART program must be kept to an
amount that does not exceed resources, so the DPD
always considers that when he recommends additions.
The DPD submits the equipment nomination report
for review to the SYSCOM or PM who is responsible
for the equipment under consideration. Based upon
comments received from the SYSCOM or PM, the
DPD recommends the equipment to CNM for approval
or disapproved as DART equipment.
Figure 7-2 shows the format of the equipment
nomination report. The DPD prepares all line items of
the report, except for CURRENT EFFORTS, which are
completed by the SYSCOM or PM.
Verification and Approval Phase
The equipment nominated for the DART program
is submitted to the fleet. The fleet may concur or
recommend substitutions with supporting justification.
The Deputy Chief of Naval Material (DCNM) for
Logistics Support then makes the final selection and
approves the equipment to be added to the DART
program. This phase may also be known as the
verification and screening phase.
Scoping Phase
In the scoping phase, the responsible SYSCOM or
PM for each approved DART equipment assigns a
DART equipment manager (DEM) who will isolate and
define the specific problem. We cannot overemphasize
the importance of problem definition. It helps avoid
false starts and bad solutions. The problem must be
Figure 7-2.-Equipment nomination report.
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