The More Things Change, Acquisition Reform Remains the Same

Abstract

For over 60 years, the Department of Defense has attempted to fix its weapon systems procurement without success. While notable exceptions emerged during the Global War on Terrorism (i.e., rapid development/fielding of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and Improvised Explosive Device defeat systems), "Acquisition Reform" efforts have not consistently yielded a process/system that delivers products faster, better, or cheaper. In 2009, President Obama took the initiative to give reforms another try. Through an analysis that applies John P. Kotter's model of organizational change and Edgar H. Schein's approach to organizational culture and leadership, the conclusion suggests that current initiatives will not be successful. Behavioral change is needed to embed transformation. Acquisition reforms can be coerced, but will not endure as true transformation unless cultural change occurs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA565454

Entities

People

  • Charles D. Allen
  • Peter K. Eide

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Explosive Devices
  • Governments
  • Law
  • Military Acquisition
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Systems Engineering
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Economics
  • Organizational Process Management (OPM).
  • Strategic Security Studies