Are Incentives and Motivations for Scientists and Engineers Aligned to Meet the Armys Modernization Goals

Abstract

The creation of the Army Futures Command (AFC) and the Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) in order to spur innovation and game-changing technologies for the warfighter has created ripple effects throughout the Army. These effects range from how the Army looks at generating requirements for new material solutions all the way through fielding those solutions within schedule and cost objectives that are stretch goals based on existing standards. While the majority of professionals entrusted with executing these goals for AFC came from existing Army organizations such as the Research Development Engineering Center (RDECOM), other organizations such as the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASAALT) and their professionals were also required to collaborate with AFC to realize these goals. This research topic looked at whether the incentives and motivations that AFC and ASAALT provided their workforce, were aligned to meet Army modernization goals, particularly considering the aggressive schedule requirement. The research yielded interesting insights into this topic particularly around what was available to AFC and ASAALT. It also looked at what other organizations, particularly high technology firms in the private sector utilized to drive their workforce for generating innovative solutions under stressing constraints. The findings and conclusions showed that a combination of both intrinsic and extrinsic incentives and motivations were required, and that those incentives and motivations were not insurmountable. However, they do require some creative thought and tailoring from leadership in order to influence the work-force of scientists and engineers to meet the Army's aggressive modernization goals.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 08, 2020
Accession Number
AD1096989

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  • Don J Palathinkal

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  • Defense Acquisition University

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