Description of Figure 5-1. Baselines in the System Life Cycle (Control gate letters refer to table 5.1)

This figure shows how example system baselines relate to the overall systems engineering life cycle. This diagram in the shape of a "V" illustrates top-down nature of systems engineering in which system development begins by defining a concept of operations, and then specific requirements are developed to drive design. As the system takes shape, and specific configuration items are established, the systems engineering process—with verification and acceptance testing at every step—ensures that the system can evolve and grow effectively.

The example baselines (concept of operations baseline, system baseline, subsystem baseline, product baseline, and operational baseline) are established at each level of system development.