An Analysis of the Relationship Between the Professionalism of Defense Acquisition Program Managers and Program Outcomes

Abstract

This paper documents a research project to examine the relationship between major defense program managers' attributes and the outcomes of their programs. It develops a model based on the research hypothesis that program manager (PM) professionalism is positively correlated with program outcomes. Dependent variables consist of metrics, such as cost variance, that indicate program outcomes. Independent variables consist of PM attributes, such as tenure duration, along with several extraneous variables, such as the program commodity (e.g., ships, aircraft). Data were obtained from Selected Acquisition Reports for major defense acquisition programs for the years 1997-2010. Expert interviews were recorded and used to frame various aspects of the analysis and conclusions. No significant correlation was found between any of the independent variables and program outcomes. The findings suggest the following: (1) further research is needed to determine good predictors of program outcomes, (2) policy makers should look to sources other than the PM as a cause of poor outcomes, and (3) a contingency approach to PM career management is appropriate.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 30, 2011
Accession Number
ADA558976

Entities

People

  • Keith F. Snider

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Business Administration
  • Employment
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Information Science
  • Knowledge Management
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Administration
  • Public Policy
  • Regression Analysis
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Organizational Psychology.