SBIR-STTR Award

We propose to develop a new approach to labeling and retrieving engineering data: Metadata for an Exploitable Repository of Authoritative Lifecycle Data (EMERALD). EMERALD will enable a more efficient and effective coordinated engineering enterprise by providing mechanisms to: Monitor engineers’ activity in their digital tools environment; As users create/modify engineering data, semi-automate the assignment of computer-exploitable descriptions (metadata) about the data’s structure, content, provenance, and rationale; Automate querying against that metadata to find, access, and deliver engineering data relevant to each engineer’s current activity; and Provide additional automated engineering team workflow and coordination support by exploiting EMERALD’s visibility into engineering activity and understanding of engineering data. During Phase I we will develop requirements, use cases, sample scenarios, and related data for EMERALD. Building on those, we will refine our EMERALD design, develop a Phase I proof-of-concept prototype, and establish a Phase II design and work plan. Approved for Public Release | 21-MDA-11013 (19 Nov 21)

We propose to develop a new approach to labeling and retrieving program data: Metadata for an Exploitable Repository of Authoritative Lifecycle Data (EMERALD). Metadata assigned by interdependent automated classifiers and extractors will support precise retrieval of authoritative documents and fragments based on expressive queries. Expressive yet low overhead query formulation and browsing will make it easy and quick for users to access information relevant to their ongoing work tasks. Data-enabled workflow support will expedite and coordinate enterprise activity by exploiting organization, program, and process models to identify, invoke, and direct workflows. Flexible model-driven architecture will enable a rich scalable web application that evolves to support emerging enterprise needs driven by digital transformation. During Phase II, we will refine system requirements, use cases, and scenarios. We will develop and validate a TRL 6 operational prototype focused on legacy document/fragment metadata assignment and exploitation. We will carry out explorations towards extending EMERALD to deal with other forms of digital engineering data. We will develop a Phase III transition plan. Approved for Public Release | 22-MDA-11340 (16 Dec 22)