The Acquisition of Joint Programs: The Implications of Interdependencies
Abstract
The movement toward transformation and joint capabilities has created new challenges for program acquisition efforts. The research reported in this article examines the implications of joint capabilities on acquisition. In short, the research investigates how program interdependency, size, age, and developmental status influence the occurrence of programmatic breaches. The article presents the results of a cross comparison of single and joint acquisition efforts. The research stems from the perceived need to improve the ability to accurately gauge the cost and schedule demands of joint acquisition efforts. The overall goal of the research was to empirically test whether joint acquisition efforts encountered greater difficulties than their single system counterparts -- and if so, to shed light on the nature of those difficulties. As discussed further on, the research examined 84 Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1 weapon system programs that were under development during the 1997-2005 time period. This research hopes to contribute to an understanding of the underlying causal factors that challenge joint efforts for the purpose of finding strategies that can enhance the success rate of joint capabilities. The findings provide empirical evidence that metrics that are capable of measuring interdependency may prove fruitful as an early indicator of joint program acquisition shortfalls.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA487683
Entities
People
- Mary M. Brown
- Robert M. Flowe
- Sean P. Hamel
Organizations
- Office of the Secretary of Defense