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MITRE's Vivian Martin is frequently involved in strategic planning for IT acquisition for the Air Force.

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Never has cost-effective technology acquisition been more relevant than it is now. As the manager of several federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), MITRE is committed to helping our sponsors successfully develop and acquire systems that are cost efficient and technically advanced.

MITRE software systems engineer Vivian Martin does just that for her sponsor, the Air Force Program Executive Office for Business Enterprise Systems, at MITRE's site near Gunter AFB in Montgomery, Ala. "Right now, I'm working on a command and control system for planning and execution as well as providing leadership on several information technology acquisition and software engineering projects," she says.

Since coming to MITRE in 2005, Martin has supported the Air Force by planning and executing several technology pilot programs. "For example, in one pilot, we tested new technologies that provided net-centric allocation of military personnel and equipment. This data is a building block for the plans that allow our military forces to complete their missions. We incorporated several other IT services, such as messaging and performance monitoring, and were able to successfully field the technology."

This pilot program also led to the development of eight additional data services that are now in the delivery pipeline. "The program affirmed the value of supplying data as an Authoritative Data Source [defined as current, reliable, and trusted data], improving the initial set of designs and message content, and adjusting the schedule to implement them sooner than the original target date," she adds.

"I really enjoy working out the strategy for using these new technologies to serve my sponsor's mission needs and contribute to their success."

Accurately gauging the performance of these new software systems and technologies is another one of her responsibilities. "As an extension of previous work, I established a partnership with DISA [Defense Information Systems Agency] Enterprise Services to monitor the performance of the software services in enterprise computing environments. Using DISA's Enterprise Service Management software allows the Air Force to apply its acquisition funds specifically to mission needs. At the same time, the large scale of the enterprise enables us to more efficiently conduct performance monitoring."

Taking IT Acquisition to a New Level

During her career as an IT professional, Martin has watched several evolutions of technology acquisition policy; she's encouraged by the government's renewed focus on improving IT acquisition practices. "Having an industry that produces great technology isn't enough," she says. "Since I'm frequently involved in strategic planning for IT acquisition within the Air Force, I see this as an opportunity to improve how we deliver capabilities to the warfighter."

In her MITRE career, Martin has served as both a chief architect and a chief engineer for her Air Force sponsor—roles she has enjoyed. "The project I'm working on now allows me to strategize about the future, as well as execute and improve delivery—that makes it one of my favorites."

While the Montgomery site where she works is small, she finds the deep experience and wisdom of the MITRE workforce readily accessible. "What makes this knowledge base particularly impressive is MITRE's MII [the corporate intranet]. It provides instant connection to people and material across the entire corporation on myriad—seemingly inexhaustible—subjects."

It's just one of many aspects she enjoys about her work. "I also like the job satisfaction that goes with getting something done right for the warfighter."

Bringing Academics to Work

Like many of her colleagues, Martin appreciates MITRE's commitment to the ongoing education of its staff. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in public administration and public policy analysis from Auburn University. Her specialty is information systems architecture and engineering and the strategic use of technology in the public sector.

"I began this degree before joining MITRE and hope to complete it next year. The classwork alone has considerably broadened my appreciation of what happens when technology meets bureaucracy. Now that I'm researching and writing my dissertation, which delves into several aspects of software delivery, I plan to use the results in my work here."

In the little free time she has outside her academic and professional pursuits, Martin and her husband love to spend time on the dance floor. "We enjoy the different styles of dance—ballroom, swing, and country western—and spend a good chunk of our quality time together dancing."

—by Kay M. Upham

Related Information

Articles and News

• Getting Key Players Together Results in More Army Radios for Less
• MITRE Works to Change C2 Acquisition, One Capability at a Time
• Eyes and Ears Open: Working with Military Personnel to Find Solutions

Technical Papers and Presentations

• Patterns of Success in Systems Engineering -- Acquisition of IT-Intensive Government Systems
• Making Acquisition Measurable
• Tailoring to the Acquisition Test and Evaluation Process: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future

Websites

• National Security Engineering Center (NSEC)
• Our Work: Acquisition and Systems Analysis
• Our Work: Information Technology