It's Time to Take the Chill Out of Cost Containment and Re-Energize a Key Acquisition Practice

Abstract

Unless program managers (PM) tackle cost containment head-on, future weapon system acquisition successes may be jeopardized, resulting in fewer products and services to equip the nation's warfighters. The United States can ill afford any decrease in its preparedness when the nation is currently waging war on two fronts. This research examines cost containment in the context of Total Life Cycle Cost Management. A more thorough understanding and aggressive application of cost-containment strategies could conceivably shift acquisition outcomes to a more cost-effective posture. Responding to a survey conducted as part of this research, 887 Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition professionals provided input on cost containment, including tool types and associated processes. Of those 887 respondents, 543 were current or former DoD PMs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA518520

Entities

People

  • Donna J. Seligman
  • Robert L. Tremaine

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Cost Analysis
  • Cost Estimates
  • Department Of Defense
  • Deployment
  • Engineering
  • Life Cycle Costs
  • Life Cycles
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Program Management
  • Systems Management
  • United States

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.