Systems Dynamics in Project Management: Shifting the Mental Model and Improving Outcomes
Abstract
As DOD acquisition outcomes continue to fall short on time, cost, and performance benchmarks, it has become evident that project managers need to reevaluate how major defense projects are estimated, managed, and evaluated. This report presents an overview of the Systems Dynamics (SD)theory, process, and application to large engineering and acquisition projects. An SD analysis strives to provide additional context and understanding of system behavior, enabling project managers to better understand the systems under their influence and improve outcomes. The SD theory is applied in a case study of the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) to demonstrate its applicability to the DOD. The analysis uses applied SD theory to move beyond a reconstruction of the RMS program management. It strives to describe system behavior in relation to outcomes described by the independent analysis, which determined poor acquisition outcomes were the result of changes in procurement quantity, poor performance by the government, and erroneous baseline estimates for cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1114615
Entities
People
- Christopher R. Kenefic
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School