Initial operating capability: Difference between revisions

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'''Initial operating capability''' or '''Initial operational capability''' (IOC) is the state achieved when a [[Capability Management|capability]] is available in its minimum usefully deployable form. The term is often used in [[government procurement|government]] or [[military]] [[procurement]].<ref>{{cite web |title = AOF Glossary |url = http://www.aof.mod.uk/aofcontent/tactical/randa/content/glossary.htm |publisher = UK Ministry of Defence |accessdate = 2008-01-27}}</ref><ref>The U.S. Department of Defense chooses to use the term Initial Operational Capability (versus initial "operating" capability) when referring to IOC. [https://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=28937 Defense Acquisition University] [[2009-07-22]].</ref>

The date at which IOC is achieved often defines the in-service date (ISD) for an associated [[system]]. Declaration of an initial operating capability may imply that the capability will be developed in the future, for example by modifications or adjustments to improve the system's performance, deployment of greater numbers of systems (perhaps of different types), or testing and training that permit wider application of the capability.<ref>Defense Acquisition University [https://akss.dau.mil/askaprof-akss/qdetail2.aspx?cgiSubjectAreaID=14&cgiQuestionID=1514 Ask a Professor] [[1998-05-08]]</ref> Once the capability is fully developed, '''Full operational capability''' may be declared.<ref>Defense Acquisition University [https://akss.dau.mil/askaprof-akss/qdetail2.aspx?cgiSubjectAreaID=12&cgiQuestionID=3060 Ask a Professor] [[1999-03-01]]</ref>

For example, the capability may be fielded to a limited number of users with plans to roll out to all users incrementally over a period of time (possibly incorporating changes along the way). The point at which the first users begin using the capability is IOC, with FOC achieved when all intended users (by agreement between the developer and the user) have the capability. This does not preclude additional users from obtaining the capability after FOC.