This Common Interface Control Plan (CICP) establishes the methodology for developing@ controlling@ and managing the technical interfaces between and within systems. An interface defines the interaction at a defined point between entities to achieve a combined system capability. A common interface defines the shared interaction between multiple systems on either side of the interface. The document is not intended to directly control any other aspects of program management@ such as matters of contractual@ financial@ or those of an intellectual property rights nature. Members in the interface control process include: procurement authorities@ design authorities@ and other related agencies as defined in the specific System Interface Control Plan (SICP). For the purposes of this plan@ only the terms Procuring Organization and Producing Organization will be used. This plan is predicated upon formal agreements between participating organizations that provide: 1. Authority to participate in Interface Control Working Group (ICWG) and decision-making processes. 2. Primary interface control@ interface problem resolution@ and interface impact assessments through the ICWG. 3. Higher level interface management under the purview of the appellate process as defined by this document and in the SICP. Purpose The purpose of this CICP is to define the roles@ responsibilities@ policies@ and procedures to be implemented to control the development and refinement of the System Data Set (SDS). This CICP stipulates the policies and procedures required to manage interface control and assure compatibility between system components. This plan defines the SDS and its developmental@ change@ and control requirements. This plan further defines the roles and responsibilities of the ICWG@ IMB@ and any higher levels of the appellate process members (e.g.@ ICSG). This CICP standard provides the framework for definition of the System Interface Control Plan (SICP). The developer of the SICP tailors this CICP to the specific needs of the system interface to be developed. The SICP developer can be a procuring or producing organization depending on the extent of interfacing elements (cross organization@ cross service@ cross country@ etc.). The SICP should be approved by organizations of sufficient level to assure compliance across the interfacing elements. Application This standard applies to interfaces between and within systems requiring development@ control@ and management. This standard may be applied to existing systems when they are being revised.