Defense and Aerospace Test and Analysis Workshop

April 21-23, 2026

 

Workshop Overview

The Defense and Aerospace Test and Analysis (DATA) Workshop is the result of a multi-organization collaboration with the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), and the Section on Statistics in Defense and National Security (SDNS) of the American Statistical Association (ASA). This three-day event is designed to help the defense and aerospace communities strengthen their application of scientific approaches to test design and program evaluation. The workshop features impactful keynotes, hands-on mini-tutorials, and breakout talks highlighting applied problems and quantitative methodologies. While originally focused on statistics in test and evaluation (T&E), the workshop has broadened to include data-driven approaches to evaluation and decision-making. DATAWorks offers a unique forum for T&E practitioners and other data-centric communities to interact and share best practices.

Improving the Quality of Test & Evaluation

Talks under this theme may include (but are not limited to) the following topics: Design of Experiments, Integrated Testing, Sequential Testing, Model Based Systems Engineering, Digital Transformation, Human System Interaction

Sharing Analysis Tools, Methods, and Collaboration Strategies

Talks under this theme may include (but are not limited to) the following topics: Bayesian Methods, Statistical Modeling, Data Visualization, Communication skills, Statistical Engineering

Advancing Test & Evaluation of Emerging and Prevalent Technologies

Talks under this theme may include (but are not limited to) the following topics: Cybersecurity, Autonomy & Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Systems, Software Systems, Space Systems, Hypersonic, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, Full Spectrum Survivability

Solving Program Evaluation Challenges

Talks under this theme may include (but are not limited to) the following topics: Sustainment, Data Management, Automation, Reproducible Research, Model and Simulation and Uncertainty Quantification, Reliability, Evaluating Mission Level Effects, Cost Estimation

This year’s workshop themes are: Improving the Quality of Test & Evaluation; Sharing Analysis Tools, Methods, and Collaboration Strategies; Advancing Test & Evaluation of Emerging and Prevalent Technologies; Solving Program Evaluation Challenges


Important Dates

Registration Opens: January 2026

Abstract Submission Closes: February 6, 2026

Registration Closes: April 10, 2026

Workshop: April 21 – April 23, 2026

 

Questions?
Contact us at dataworks@testscience.org

Call For Abstracts

Submit Abstract

Submit abstracts by February 6.

Abstract acceptance notifications will be sent by February 13

Student Grants Available

Student Grant Application

Submit application by February 13.

Awardees will be notified by February 21.

Location

DATAWorks will be held at IDA’s Potomac Yard Location.

IDA (Potomac Yard) is located at 730 East Glebe Road, Alexandria, VA, 22305.

  • Potomac Yard Metro Station is now open and within a 5 min walking distance from the IDA conference center. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.
  • Paid street and garage parking are available on Dogue Street at the American Physical Therapy Association (see map). IDA does not validate external parking.
  • Do not park in the Potomac Yard Center (Target) lot or empty pavement directly across from the IDA building on Seaton Ave; towing is enforced.
  • Please note, there will be no IDA shuttle provided this year.

Lunch Options

Visit our Lunch Options page for a list of restaurants and their distance from IDA HQ.

Lodging

Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria

1625 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Telephone: (703) 548-1050

Group Name: DATAWorks

Dates: April 20-24, 2026

Rate: $258

Last Day to Book: Monday, March 23, 2026

Residence Inn Alexandria Old Town/Duke Street

1456 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Telephone: (703) 548-5474

Group Name: DATAWorks Room Block

Dates: April 20-24, 2026

Rate: Prevailing Government Per Diem Rate

Last Day to Book: Monday, March 23, 2026

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel

2850 South Potomac Ave

Arlington, VA 22202

Telephone: (703) 413-1300

Group Name: DATAWorks Room Block

Dates: April 20-24, 2026

Rate: Prevailing Government Per Diem Rate

Last Day to Book: Monday, March 23, 2026

The Westin Crystal City

1800 Richmond Highway

Arlington, VA 22202

Telephone: (703) 486-1111

Group Name: DATAWorks Room Block

Dates: April 20-24, 2026

Rate: Prevailing Government Per Diem Rate

Last Day to Book: Monday, March 20, 2026