Analysis of Process, Product, and Context in Military Acquisitions
Abstract
The objective of this research is to identify key factors that impact the probability of success of a military material acquisition program. These key factors are intended to be incorporated in a wargaming-type acquisition game developed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center. This project defines a successful military acquisition as a program that achieves a successful Milestone C decision and is not terminated or restructured. Measures of potential factors related to program cost, schedule, and performance were postulated and potential data sources identified. Data were drawn from Selected Acquisition Reports to Congress. Statistical analysis was conducted using data from 79 DOD ACAT I programs to determine correlations of initial program baseline cost, schedule, and performance data. Analysis determined that the percentage of a program's Key Performance Parameters that achieve their threshold values is the strongest indicator of a program achieving a successful Milestone C decision. The output of this capstone is a methodology that can be adapted for application in evaluating probability of successful military acquisitions in other countries or to incorporate stronger leading indicators of program success if data become available for analysis. Recommendations for further analysis and data collection efforts include categorizing programs based on the urgency of need, as well as the system's technology readiness levels at program initiation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150817
Entities
People
- David C. Garrison
- Evan Barber
- James C. Gallagher
- Lane M. Berg
- Richard M. Jr Lofthouse
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School