CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

Statistical approaches to test design and data analysis are where T&E professionals make their biggest impact on engineering efforts to field complex systems. Without a proper experimental design, we end up with an inefficient trial and error process that produces marginal if any impact to understanding and improving system performance. That has never been acceptable, but in an era where we are in an all out sprint against an adversary displaying rapid gains in defense acquisition, taking the time to design and plan our tests to get them right the first time has never been more important. This DataWorks Special Issue of the ITEA Journal is intended to focus on this most important part of our profession. So head on over to Dr. Laura Freeman’s “Issue at a Glance” section as she highlights this issue.

I was honored to represent ITEA at the Australasian Simulation Congress 2023 (ASC 2023) held in Adelaide, Australia from 21 to 24 August 2023. This event was jointly hosted by the Systems Engineering Society of Australia (SESA) and the International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA). Dr. Mal Tutty PhD (ITEA BoD Director), Dr. Keith Joiner, PhD (ITEA BoD Director) and I presented a paper titled “A T&E Code of Practice and the Nexus between Simulation and Reality.” I also participated in a Plenary Special Interest Panel “How can industry, academia, and defence collaboratively build a sovereign test and evaluation workforce?” The panel Chair was Tim Grabert, Test and Evaluation Capability Lead, NOVA Systems. Due to the geostrategic environment, the Australian Defence T&E strategy’s emphasis on bolstering their T&E workforce, AUKUS (trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdon, and the United States), and ITEA’s role as a 501 (c) 2 Non-Profit education organization, your board is working on several strategic objectives related to strengthening our workforce development programs. We are also considering re-establishing the partnership with SESA and once again convening the Systems Engineering and Test and Evaluation (SETE) conferences down under. Stay tuned for more exciting news on this front.

While at ASC, we took the opportunity to get the ITEA Southern Cross Chapter together for a meeting along with some non-members for an ITEA information session. Peter Nikoloff (Chapter President) and I talked about the importance and value that ITEA brings to our profession. It was a great meeting and we signed up several new members!

Our membership numbers continue to increase, and our financials are steadily improving. Followers on our LinkedIn page continue to grow indicating an expanded interest in ITEA and the T&E education we provide through our courses, conferences, tutorials, T&E certification and other programs. If you are not a follower, please head over to our LinkedIn page ( ITEA LinkedIn Page ) and follow us. This will tune you into all our conferences, lunch and learn webinars, tutorials, etc. And if you are not a member and reading this as part of our trial period, please consider joining ITEA to propel you career and our T&E organization!

Our 40^th International T&E Symposium is on track and will start on 5 December in Destin, FL with the theme of “Next Generation Test Dominance.” Please work your schedules now and book your room at the Hilton Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort early as we anticipate a sold-out block of rooms.

Visit our website at itea.org for more information about ITEA engagement opportunities to strengthen our organization, improve the T&E profession, and further your career. It’s an exciting time to be working in this industry; stay engaged with ITEA and consider joining if you are not a member to take advantage of membership! Members, we need some volunteers to serve on our committees and Board of Directors – if you are interested, please reach out to anyone on the Board.

Enjoy the Journal!