SD-15 Guide For Performance SpecificationsThis document provides guidance information on performance specifications focusing primarily on stating requirements in performance terms and ensuring that sufficient verification means are included in the specification to evaluate conformance. While the focus of this document is on defense specifications developed under DoD 4120.24-M, Defense Standardization Program DSP Policies and Procedures, the principles and techniques can also be applied to program unique performance specifications, performance-based purchase descriptions, commercial item descriptions, or any other type of procurement specification. This guide is intended to supplement the format and content requirements for writing performance specifications found in MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content.

Pages 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 - 32 - 33 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 37 - 38 - 39 - 40 - 41 - 42 - 43 - 44 - 45 - 46 - 47 - 48 - 49 - 50 - 51 - 52 - 53 - 54 - 55 - 56 - 57 - 58 - 59 - 60 - 61 - 62 - 63 - 64

Performance Specification Guide SD-15

CHAPTER 5: WRITING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

The format and content requirements for writing defense performance specifications and

program-unique performance specifications are in MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content. This information will not be repeated in this chapter. Instead, this chapter will cover how performance specifications differ from detail specifications,

and will provide examples of how different DoD preparing activities rewrote detail specifications to performance specifications. The examples provided in this chapter are edited portions of text extracted from specifications as they appeared at the time of their publication. Generally shown

is the last iteration of the document as a detail specification and the first iteration of the same document as a performance specification. These examples are meant to illustrate specific learning points and do not necessarily reflect the current technical requirement, the most recent document edition, or the latest format and content requirements of MIL-STD-961.

PERFORMANCE VERSUS DETAIL SPECIFICATION COMPARISON

Specification

Requirements

Performance Specification

Detail Specification

Section 1 - Scope

Same for both.

Section 2 - Applicable Documents

Performance specifications usually have fewer references. They refer to test method standards; interface drawings, standards, and specifications; and other performance specifications. However, sometimes a performance specification can have a greater number of references, especially if there are numerous test method standards to verify that performance requirements have been met. In general, performance specifications should not reference detail specifications, except when necessary to ensure interfaces, interoperability, or compatibility with

other systems, equipment, components, or operating environments.

Detailed specifications usually cite a greater number of references than a performance specification since they require the use of materials and part and component specifications; manufacturing process documents; and other detail specifications as references.