SPACE ACQUISITIONS: Actions Needed to Expand and Sustain Use of Best Practices

Abstract

DODs space system acquisitions have experienced problems over the past several decades that have driven up costs by hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars, stretched schedules by years, and increased performance risks. DOD has recognized the need to change its approach to developing space systems and is attempting to instill best practices in new efforts. GAO was asked to testify on its findings on space acquisitions problems and steps needed to sustain and expand the use of best practices. In preparing this testimony, GAO relied on its detailed reviews of space programs as well as cross-cutting work on cost estimating and best practices. GAO does not make recommendations in this testimony. However, GAO has made recommendations on steps DOD can take to ensure better outcomes for its space acquisitions programs. These include developing an overall investment strategy for acquisition programs, addressing human capital and other shortfalls in capacity, and revising policies supporting space to incorporate best practices.

Document Details

• Document Type: Technical Report
• Publication Date: Apr 19, 2007
• Accession Number: AD1106102

Entities

Organizations

• United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Accountability
• Acquisition
• Artificial Satellites
• Best Practices
• Business Administration
• Contractors
• Contracts
• Cost Estimates
• Cost Overruns
• Costs
• Department Of Defense
• Engineering
• Extremely High Frequency
• Geosynchronous Orbits
• Global Positioning Systems
• Governments
• Military Satellites
• Money
• National Security
• Payload
• Personnel Management
• Program Management
• Reconnaissance Satellites
• Satellite Communications
• Space Based
• Space Systems
• Spacecraft
• System Software
• United States
• United States Government

Readers

• Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

• Space