Improving Defense Acquisition Decision-Making

Abstract

This research investigates evidence and tests the hypothesis that the linkages between the defense acquisition management system, the requirements process, and the budgeting system are not sufficiently defined to enable the success of acquisition programs. These disconnects contribute to weapons systems cost overruns, schedule delays, and performance problems, and are exacerbated by the ever-changing global security environment and rapid pace of technological advancement. Through historical research qualitative and quantitative analyses, and a comprehensive review of current policies and procedures, this research illuminates these areas of disconnect and proposes specific recommendations to fix them. Keywords: Acquisition, Budgeting, Decision-making, Programming, Requirements The primary purpose of this research was to investigate how well the Defense Acquisition Management System interfaces with the requirements and budgeting systems of the Department of Defense (DoD). The United States of America possesses the finest weapons systems in the world. However, the same cannot be said for the systems that enable the Pentagon to acquire those weapons systems. Cost overruns, schedule delays and operational test failures testify to numerous severed connections among the acquisition management, requirements, and budgeting systems (commonly referred to as the three decision support systems). The ever-changing global security environment and the rapid pace of technological change only serve to exacerbate these problems. For the Pentagon to earn a reputation for excellence in acquiring weapons systems these decision support systems must operate with far better coordination and demonstrate that they can procure the right equipment, within reasonable timeframes, and at affordable prices. This research began with an investigation into the intricacies of the acquisition man

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA530206

Entities

People

  • William Fast

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Costs
  • Decision Support Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Logistics
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Resource Management
  • Security
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Systems Analysis and Design