Leading Acquisition Reform

Abstract

The 2010 National Security Strategy gives acquisition professionals guidance to achieve long-term goals while spending taxpayers' dollars wisely. The inevitable reduction of the Department of Defense budget has made it increasingly important to make the tough choices necessary to live within our means and improve organizational performance. Top acquisition professionals are scrutinizing programs, looking for cost-cutting initiatives. They will consider terminating or restructuring those Department of Defense programs that are duplicative, ineffective, or wasteful. Congress also has contributed to the defense acquisition system's inefficiency and will need to adjust the oversight process if effective reform is to take place. This paper considers the obstacles that will impact the acquisition professional's strategic path forward for future successful Department of Defense programs. Top acquisition professionals should consider not only what they are buying, but also how they can streamline the process. Acquisition leaders will be challenged to develop the future acquisition workforce while creating the right organizational culture and command climate that will facilitate a successful transition.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 22, 2011
Accession Number
ADA560286

Entities

People

  • Brian R. Tachias

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Army Procurement
  • Budgets
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Education
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Military Acquisition
  • Military Budgets
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Security
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Business

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Economics