Air Force Acquisition Stability and the Program Manager
Abstract
This study answers the question, How can the Air Force program manager (PM) improve weapon acquisition stability? By analyzing acquisition in terms of stability, current weapon procurement problems are better understood. A stable acquisition program is defined as one which has both quality planning and disciplined execution. The instability of Air Force weapon programs is described and documented as a significant deficiency. Fourteen causes of instability, affecting both planning and execution, are described. Included are problems of faulty requirements, strategy disconnects, persistently optimistic estimates, ambiguous plans and objectives, inadequate skills, floating baselines, distraction, and turbulent budgets. Five recommendations are presented which, if adopted by the PM, will improve program stability. They are titled, quality requirements, realistic estimates, plan education, total quality management and contractor commitment. The study does not present any revolutionary solutions to acquisition deficiencies; rather it analyzes the problem from a new perspective and provides a framework for implementing proven management concepts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA234541
Entities
People
- John L. Clay
Organizations
- Air War College