The Effects of Developmental Software on the Acquisition Management of Aeronautical Computer systems.
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to determine if the developmental software aspect of aeronautical computer system acquisitions was the cause of program cost overruns and schedule extensions. The hypothesis was that developmental software does cause program cost and schedule overruns. A structured interview was used to obtain data concerning three variable characteristics of developmental software: software documentation, software design and interface requirements, and software testing (validation and verification). A census of all on-going programs at Aeronautical System Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, as of 1 January 1976, was performed. Criteria tests on the correlation of data with program cost and schedule changes was conducted to establish support for the hypothesis. The hypothesis could not be supported. Additional analysis coupled with observations compiled during the interviews indicated that it may not be the case that aeronautical weapon system acquisitions are being approached from a total system point of view, but rather that subsystems are being optimized to the detriment of the total weapon system acquisition. The authors feel that this suboptimization is a contributing cause to cost overruns and schedule extensions. Recommendations for further research are included. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030217
Entities
People
- Craig E. Chapman
- James R. Marshall
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology