Defense Acquisition Reform, 19602009: An Elusive Goal

Abstract

Defense acquisition reform initiatives have been Department of Defense perennials over the past fifty years. Yet reforming the acquisition process remains a high priority each time a new administration comes into office. Many notable studies of defense acquisition with recommendations for changes have been published,and each has reached the same general findings with similar recommendations. However, despite the defense communitys intent to reform the acquisition process, the difficulty of the problem and the associated politics, combined with organizational dynamics that are resistant to change, have led to only minor improvements. The problems of schedule slippages, cost growth,and shortfalls in technical performance on defense acquisition programs have remained much the same throughout this period. Professor Foxs Defense Acquisition Reform, 19602009: An Elusive Goal, provides valuable historical analysis of the numerous attempts over the past fifty years to reform the defense acquisition process for major weapons systems. It identifies important long-term trends, insights, and observations that provide perspective and context to assist current defense decision makers, acquisition officials, and the acquisition schoolhouse. It is an important work on an important subject that continues to defy solution.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 31, 2011
Accession Number
AD1008638

Entities

People

  • David Allen
  • J. R. Fox
  • Philip L. Shiman
  • Thomas C. Lassman
  • Walton S. Moody

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Contracts
  • Employment
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Recreation
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design