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How does a good idea become a program at IARPA?

It all starts with the Heilmeier Questions

1. What are you trying to do?
2. How does this get done at present? Who does it? What are the limitations of the present approaches?
   • Are you aware of the state-of-the-art and have you thoroughly thought through all the options?
3. What is new about your approach? Why do you think you can be successful at this time?
   • Given that you've provided clear answers to 1 & 2, have you created a compelling option?
   • What does first-order analysis of your approach reveal?
4. If you succeed, what difference will it make?
   • Why should we care?
5. How long will it take? How much will it cost? What are your mid-term and final exams?
   • What is your program plan? How will you measure progress? What are your milestones/metrics? What is your transition strategy?