Multi-Index Analysis

Multi-index analysis (MIA) is an engineering and product design assessment methodology for assessing product maturity using readiness levels. The assessment is made using ten individual readiness scales each measuring a distinct and essential aspect of the product's overall design maturity. The set of ten scores is mapped onto a single MIA value ranging from 1 (pre-mortal) to 15 (returned from use) which represents the product's maturity at the time of the assessment. The design goal using MIA is for the product to reach a score of 14 which can only be achieved when a product is maximally successful and proven on all ten readiness scales.

DevelopmentEdit

Sub- metric	MIA
	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
MIA_TRL	Basic principles observed and reported	Technology concept and/or application formulated	Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of-concept		Component and / or breadboard validation in laboratory environment		Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment	System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment (ground or space)	System prototype demonstration in a space environment		Actual system completed and "flight qualified" through test and demonstration (ground or space)	Actual system "flight proven" through successful mission operations
	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_CRI	Hypothetical commercial proposition.										Commercial Trial, small scale.		Commercial Scale Up.	Multiple Commercial Applications.	Market competition.	Bankable Asset Class.
	8										10		11	12	13	14
MIA_MRL	Basic manufacturing implications identified	Manufacturing concepts identified	Manufacturing proof of concept developed		Capability to produce the technology in a laboratory environment		Capability to produce prototype components in a production relevant environment	Capability to produce a prototype system or subsystem in a production relevant environment	Capability to produce systems, subsystems, or components in a production representative environment	Pilot line capability demonstrated; ready to begin low rate initial production	LRIP demonstrated; capability in place to begin full rate production		Full rate production demonstrated and lean production practices in place
	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	10		14
MIA_SML	Supportability and sustainment options identified.	Notional product support and maintenance concept identified.	Notional product support, sustainment, and supportability requirements defined and documented to support the notional concept		Supportability objectives and Key Performance Parameter (KPP) / Key System Attribute (KSA) requirements defined.		Supportability design features required incorporated in Design Requirements	Maintenance concepts and sustainment strategy complete.	Supportability features embedded in design.	Product Support capabilities demonstrated and Supply Chain Management (SCM) approach validated	Product Support Package demonstrated in operational environment		Initial Product Support Package fielded at operational sites.	Sustainment performance measured against operational needs.	Product Support Package fully in place including Depot repair capability.
	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	10		11	12	14
MIA_IRL	No integration has been planned or intended.		High-level concept for integration has been identified	Some level of specificity of requirements to characterize the interaction between components	Detailed integration design has been defined to include all interface details	Validation of interrelated functions between integrating components in a laboratory environment	Validation of interrelated functions between integrating components in a relevant environmen	Validation of interrelated functions between integrating components in a relevant end-to-end environment	System prototype integration demonstration in an operational high- fidelity environment	System integration completed and mission qualified through test and demonstration in an operational environmen	System Integration is proven through successful mission-proven operations
	2		2	3	3	4	5	6	7	8	14
MIA_SRL	0		System alternative materiel solutions should have been considered	System materiel solution should have been identified	System high-risk immature technologies should have been identified and prototyped	System performance specifications and constraints should have been defined and the baseline has been allocated	System high-risk component technology development should have been complete; low-risk system components	System component integrability should have been validated	System threshold capability should have been demonstrated at operational performance level using operational	System interoperability should have been demonstrated in an operational environment	System has achieved initial operational capability and can satisfy mission objectives
	2		2	3	3	4	5	6	7	8	14
MIA_DRL	Hunch of a market need.	Market and product are described.	Market need and market supply are explicated.		Validation of market / small pilot campaign.		Business model described.	Products are being launched in limited scope.	Customers confirm progress / improvement.		Stable sale makes income predictions possible.	Market confirms stability / growth.
	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
RRL	The legal and/or regulatory aspects of the technology are unpredictable or unknown	Use or production will require changes of laws.	Use and/or production will require change or reinterpretations of regulatory framework		Use and/or production will require demanding permissions or approvals.		Use and/or production will presuppose accessible permissions or approvals.	Necessary approvals are likely.	Necessary approvals for use or production are just around the corner.		Use or production fulfill general conditions.	Use and production are regulatory unproblematic.
	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_ARL	The technology is or will be seen as illegitimate or unacceptable.	The technology will be seen as controversial in large parts of the population.	The technology is seen as unwanted or inappropriate among groups of the population.		The technology is seen as controversial among groups of the population.		Use of the technology is seen as unwanted or inappropriate among key actors in the sector.	Use of the technology is seen as unwanted or inappropriate among a few actors in the sector.	The technology is seen as controversial in parts of the sector.		The technology is seen as controversial among marginal interest groups.	The technology is generally accepted / applauded.
	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_ORL	The technology represents a fundamental break with existing work processes or organizing.	Unclear how the technology might be adapted to existing work processes / organizations.	An idea about integration domestication exists.		Integration with work processes / organization is formulated.		A concrete plan for integration with existing work processes is formulated.	Large / fundamental organizational changes are needed in order to use the technology.	Small organizational changes are needed in order to use the technology.		Technology is adapted to work processes and / or existing technology.	The technology works seamlessly with existing technology.
	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14

UsageEdit

The assessment procedure is to evaluate the design against the level definition in the matrix.

Alignment of the readiness levels within the MIA score
Sub-metric	MIA
Sub-metric	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
MIA_TRL	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_CRI	8										10		11	12	13	14
MIA_MRL	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	10		14
MIA_SML	1	2	3		4		5	6	7	8	10		11	12	14
MIA_IRL	2		2	3	3	4	5	6	7	8	14
MIA_SRL	2		2	3	3	4	5	6	7	8	14
MIA_DRL	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_RRL	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_ARL	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14
MIA_ORL	1	2	3		4		5	6	8		9	14

Since the methodology makes both qualitative and quantitative assessments, it is possible to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses within a product design. It is also possible to compare different designs

and are used to judge product maturity.