Schedule-Driven Costs in Major Defense Programs
Abstract
Most program managers seem focused on controlling costs and delivering a quality product. The third leg of the acquisition stool -- program schedule -- is perceived to be less important and seems to be a resource that can be slipped to accommodate unstable funding or technical difficulties when they are encountered. Given that most major defense program schedules span years or even decades, schedule slips are not likely to be given their true importance. This paper explores the relationship between program cost and schedule. The literature is inconsistent and seemingly contradictory in many of the conclusions about the impact that schedule can have on cost and program performance. While most of us have heard the supposed truism that "time is money," there has been little evidence that schedule has been a focus of program managers' attempts to control costs. As an exploratory effort, this research examined the literature on program scheduling and the relationship of program schedules to cost and program performance. Using an informal survey of 71 program managers attending 400-level courses at the Defense Systems Management College, the paper also examines program manager attitudes toward their own program schedules. The paper synthesizes this material and provides several propositions for further research that may improve acquisition outcomes. The presentation includes 15 briefing charts,
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563566
Entities
People
- Roy L. Wood
Organizations
- Defense Systems Management College