Proposals Don Figer RIT Center for Detectors March

Proposals Don Figer, RIT Center for Detectors March 26, 2019

HEILMEIER CATECHISM

Heilmeier Catechism • DARPA operates on the principle that generating big rewards requires taking big risks. But how does the Agency determine what risks are worth taking? 3

Heilmeier Catechism • George H. Heilmeier, a former DARPA director (19751977), crafted a set of questions known as the "Heilmeier Catechism" to help Agency officials think through and evaluate proposed research programs. 4

Heilmeier Catechism • What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon. 5

Heilmeier Catechism • How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice? 6

Heilmeier Catechism • What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful? 7

Heilmeier Catechism • Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make? 8

Heilmeier Catechism • What are the risks? 9

Heilmeier Catechism • How much will it cost? 10

Heilmeier Catechism • How long will it take? 11

Heilmeier Catechism • How long will it take? 12

FIND

Find • DARPA operates on the principle that generating big rewards requires taking big risks. But how does the Agency determine what risks are worth taking? 14

Find • George H. Heilmeier, a former DARPA director (19751977), crafted a set of questions known as the "Heilmeier Catechism" to help Agency officials think through and evaluate proposed research programs. 15

Find • What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon. 16

Find • How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice? 17

Find • What is new in your approach and why do you think it will be successful? 18

Find • Who cares? If you are successful, what difference will it make? 19

Find • What are the risks? 20

Find • How much will it cost? 21

Find • How long will it take? 22

Find • What are the mid-term and final “exams” to check for success? 23