A Study of the Interface Problems between the U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (OTEA) and the Army Material Development Community.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the reasons for interface problems between OTEA and DARCOM as perceived at OTEA and at the headquarters and project manager levels of the latter; to evaluate the resultant impact on both organizations and; to make recommendations regarding resolution of these problems, if possible. The methodology employed consisted of a literature search into the history of Army operational testing and evaluation, and both structured and informal interviews with persons either currently or recently assigned to OTEA, Headquarters, DARCOM, or project management offices. The study revealed that negative perceptions related to historical and situational (environmental) factors are the key contributors to the interface problems and that the situation is more acute at the working levels than at the management stratas of the three organizations (i.e., OTEA, Headquarters, DARCOM and the PMO's). The author recommends the use of balanced in-house training programs, better distribution of the personnel resources of the Army Project Management Development Program, and increased opportunity for assigned personnel to attend the Program Management Course at the Defense Systems Management School--as approaches which may reduce or alleviate interface problems. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA033906

Entities

People

  • Robert E. Thomas Jr

Organizations

  • Defense Systems Management College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Contractors
  • Defense Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Governments
  • Hierarchies
  • Lead Time
  • Management Personnel
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Program Management
  • Project Management
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Training
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Economics
  • Military Training and Readiness Simulation