Acquisition Reform: "This, Too, Shall Pass..?"
Abstract
For the past 25 years we have seen vigorous, near-continuous attempts to reform the defense acquisition process. Yet, these initiatives failed to reach their stated objectives. Today, we are in the midst of another wave of acquisition reform. Will this effort too, come, and go? This paper attempts to answer this question by comparing the past efforts in implementing acquisition reform to today today's efforts using the backdrop of current organizational change theories. Four key elements to implement organizational change leadership, metrics, workforce empowerment, and changing the organizational culture are used as the basis of comparison. Of these four key elements, three show clear improvement with today's reform initiatives. The metrics program is stronger. The workforce is more involved through advances in technology and the extensive use of teams. Lastly, the values the foundation of organizational culture of government workers are clearly changing to be more conducive to reform efforts. However, in the area of leadership, there still exists a lack of an overarching national leader or strategy that transcends legislative and executive branch control. Even within the executive branch, however, conflicting strategies are employed in attempting to implement reform. From this analysis, several recommendations are offered. First, the acquisition reform leadership should concentrate on the continuous improvement strategy and only selectively use reengineering techniques. The leadership must then continue to work closely with Congress to ensure a stable and consistent program. And, lastly, we must keep in mind the big picture that the purpose of the defense acquisition system is to meet the needs of the warfighter.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA398426
Entities
People
- Curtis K. Munechika
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College