The Project Manager's Lieutenant for Logistics: A Study of the Chief Logistician's Key Roles in Reducing Operations & Support Costs During Developmental Programs

Abstract

Extremely high weapon system Operation & Support (O&S) costs have become one of the central issues within the Department of Defense. Historically, O&S Costs represent 60% to 80% of the total life-cycle cost of weapon systems. Consequently, minor increases in O&S Costs across many systems can have major impacts to the efficient execution of the defense budget, restrict the ability to maintain readiness, and deplete funding needed for modernization. The principal finding of this research is that the Chief Logistician of a developmental project office can radically reduce future O&S Costs by fulfilling several key roles during a short time-flame in the system life-cycle. These key roles include a number of strategic imperatives, a half-dozen unique activities related to both the design of the weapon system and the logistics plans for supporting the system, and a full understanding of the techniques to overcome existing inhibitors. Finally, suggestions are presented for over-hauling the Chief Logisticians status in a typical project office to more effectively deal with these difficult challenges of system development.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA402758

Entities

People

  • Michael E. Mcgee

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Business Administration
  • Cost Reductions
  • Engineers
  • Logistics
  • Maintenance
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Supply Depots
  • Systems Engineering

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design