Defense Acquisition Organizations: Linking Workforce Reductions with Better Program Outcomes.
Abstract
I am pleased to be here today to discuss issues associated with the acquisition workforce and acquisition process of the Department of Defense (DoD). Reducing infrastructure is one approach DoD is pursuing to increase funds for modernization. As an element of that infrastructure, the defense acquisition workforce is a logical place to look for efficiencies and savings. This morning I will talk about the reasons why this will be a complex and challenging undertaking. I see these reasons as threefold: (1) There is no agreed upon definition of what constitutes the acquisition workforce. This makes targeting changes and measuring there progress very difficult. (2) The workforce cuts made to date have not resulted in expected savings and have kept the basic organizational structure relatively intact. (3) Decisions to restructure or reduce the acquisition workforce should be linked to getting better outcomes from the acquisition process. Cutting personnel levels without changing how acquisition organizations generate weapon system requirements and estimates will miss an opportunity to address the deep seated causes of acquisition problems. I will elaborate on these points in my statement today and will offer some preliminary observations on DoD's plan to reduce and restructure its acquisition workforce submitted in January in response to legislation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA323989
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office