Schedule Best Practices Provide Opportunity to Enhance Missile Defense Agency Accountability and Program Execution
Abstract
We have reported for years on a range of knowledge-based acquisition practices that provide a systematic and disciplined method to deliver promised capabilities within estimated costs and schedules.4 We also have consistently reported that MDA programs have had troubled acquisition histories at least in part due to not following these practices. In April 2012, we reported that many MDA acquisition programs have a concurrent schedule in which there is overlap between technology development and product development, or product development and the production of a system.5 Such a strategy forces decision makers to make key decisions without adequate information about the weapon s demonstrated operational effectiveness, reliability, logistic supportability, and readiness for production. For example, GMD s concurrent acquisition approach allowed it to rapidly field a limited defense capability, but it resulted in performance shortfalls, unexpected cost increases, schedule delays, test problems, and expensive retrofit programs. We also have reported that MDA program schedules are optimistic and frequently change. As a knowledge-based approach has been found to be important to successfully executing a program, the problems faced by MDA programs can be, at least in part, attributed to the programs not following an approach in which knowledge about program capabilities precedes key program commitments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 19, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563314
Entities
People
- Cristina Chaplain
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office