This paper describes a market driven life cycle methodology for applic
ation of off-the-shelf products and provides anecdotal lessons for eac
h of the life cycle phases. In order to form a framework for further d
iscussion, a model of the off-the-shelf marketplace is introduced to d
efine a range of products from low cost commodities to high-end niche
or specialty items. Within this framework, strategies are recommended
for defining product requirements both technical and programmatic, sur
veying the market to find products that meet those requirements and th
en acceptance testing those products to ensure they do in fact perform
as advertised. Recommendations are provided in the area of product ta
iloring, if tailoring is deemed a cost effective alternative to unique
design. The pitfalls of managing ''off-the-shelf'' vendors as subcont
ractors during the tailoring phase is also described. Product procurem
ent is defined to include not only those steps required to procure pro
duct quantities for deploy ment but also steps to ensure that those pr
oducts meet the same requirements as those accepted during the selecti
on phase. Three product support strategies are next described. The str
ategies range from a traditional ''commercial'' approach with support
provided within the vendor's infrastructure to a more traditional ''mi
litary'' approach in which vendors are subcontracted to provide longer
term support. Selection of the appropriate strategy is based on a bal
ance of cost, desired product life and desired level of stability with
in the system configuration.