Explorer

• What is Through Life Management?
• Is Through Life Management Mandatory?
• How TLM relates to TLCM?
• What is a Through Life Management Plan?
• Framework for a TLMP
  • Section 1 - Mission and Objectives
  •     Section 1 - Further Advice
  • Section 2 - Stakeholders
  •     Section 2 - Further Advice
  • Section 3 - Strategies
  •     Section 3 - Further Advice
  • Section 4 - Plans and Processes
  •     Section 4 - Further Advice
  • Section 5 - Resources
  •     Section 5 - Further Advice
  • Section 6 - Evaluation of Success
  •     Section 6 - Further Advice
• Producing the TLMP – Process Overview
• Who Should use a TLMP
• The TLMP across an Acquisition Lifecycle
  • The TLMP in the Concept Phase
  • The TLMP in the Assessment Phase
  • The TLMP in the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase
  • The TLMP in the In-Service Phase
  • The TLMP in the Disposal Phase
• The TLMP and Other Acquisition Processes
• Measuring TLM Maturity
• Applying the TLMP Process
  • System and Platform TLMPs
  • TLMPs for In-Service Projects
  • TLMPs in Cluster IPTs
  • TLMPs for Small Projects
    • TLMP Templates for small projects
  • TLM Support Tools
  • Electronic and Web-based TLMPs
• TLM Frequently Asked Questions
  • TLM General
  • Producing a TLMP
  • Stakeholder Issues
  • Costing the TLMP
• TLM Common Terms
• Contacts

Content

Through Life Management (TLM) FAQs - General Questions about TLM

What is the relationship between the TLMP and our IPT Business Plan?

The TLMP and the Business Plan have different, but complementary, roles within the IPT. The relationship between the two is illustrated in the two diagrams below:

My project is approaching Initial Gate and/or Main Gate Approval. Is a TLMP required by the Approving Authorities and Scrutineers?

Yes. And they are likely to ask to scrutinise it and/or the Executive Summary (an Executive Summary is mandatory for Category A to C business cases going to the DE&S Investment Board). Refer to The TLMP and Approvals/Business Cases for more information on role of the TLMP in Business Cases.

If you already have a robust TLMP and you are using it to manage the project, then you should have little to worry about for the Approval.

What is the difference between a TLMP and a traditional Project Management Plan (PMP)?

The fundamental differences are that the TLMP is a long term (whole lifecycle) view, rather than a short term snapshot, and it covers all relevant Defence Lines of Development rather than just those managed by the IPT. It is also Whole Life costed. The TLMP is framed around objectives and in response to Customer requirements. Unlike the PMP, it is a strategic management plan and it aspires to be a decision making tool.

In some cases it may be useful to use a PMP for lower level detail required by project staff to manage activities on a shorter term basis, detail which might not warrant inclusion in a TLMP. In other words PMP’s may usefully supplement a TLMP, but should never replace one. Obviously care must be taken to avoid unnecessary duplication.

Are TLMPs relevant for small projects, or only for larger In-service projects?

Yes, they are. The TLMP framework is designed to be generic and flexible enough to cater for all types of project, regardless of their size, type, or stage of CADMID.

TLMPs are being used and are delivering business benefits in projects of different sizes, and in different stages of the acquisition cycle. They have been applied equally effectively in small Category D programmes in cluster and commodity IPTs.

What happens to the TLMP at Transition?

The current project team should see themselves as the custodians of the TLMP; custodianship may transfer to another IPT or organisation during the course of the programme.

It is important to define and agree the transition strategy early in the project - the TLMP should be used as the vehicle for this. The IPT which will eventually receive the project and support it in-service should be engaged from the earliest stages of writing the TLMP. Some acquisition IPTs have made their counterpart in-service IPT a cover signatory to the TLMP to ensure their early participation in Through Life planning.

See the guidance on the TLMP and Transition Planning.

Change History

Change History