Acquisition Reform: Whats Wrong With This Picture?

Abstract

Acquisition reform has been a topic of discussion for the last fifty years. Finally, it has begun, with some impressive initial results. The problem is with the overall approach -- it's not being done systematically with an organized big picture in mind. That's a problem because, like the laws, as more ideas are adopted, there's likely to be: (1) sub-optimization (where effects aren't realized immediately or aren't what was intended), and (2) 'tampering,' (as we try to force the system to do what it can't). These will cause acquisition reform to make the changed system worse. Not doing it with the big picture in mind will also result in missed opportunities when we aren't able to see possibilities across boundaries and functional areas. We may suffer from paradigm paralysis, which will keep the Acquisition Reform effort from being all that it could be. How do we avoid these potential problems? Adopt a systematic approach and reform defense acquisition for the best performance overall.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA331478

Entities

People

  • Ramonda L. Rawls

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Control Systems
  • Defense Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Financial Management
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Students
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Trade Associations
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Systems Analysis and Design