Alternatives for Success: One Program's Unconventional Structure

Abstract

Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, continues to champion the initiatives of the original Better Buying Power (BBP) and now BBP 2.0. This latest version incorporates new ideas and best practices from the original. Introducing BBP 2.0, Kendall uses terms like institutionalizing and policy changes. Acquisition professionals would be mistaken to interpret these words to mean change must occur at a strategic level. Kendall also describes BBP 2.0 as a management philosophy. In my opinion, this is an important distinction. BBP initiatives provide a medium to cultural change. The core concept could be Is there a better way? Recently, Kendall has emphasized that the policies are not set in stone. Program managers (PMs) have to determine their best way to incorporate the BBP philosophy and design program structures to optimize the potential for success. The Product Manager, Precision Guided Missiles and Rockets (PM PGMR) has distilled Better Buying Power guidance into the team s mantra Provide More Capability at a Better Value and Deliver It Faster While Sustaining It Longer. These guiding principles are executed by a committed team across the Precision Fires Project Office within Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space. We have accepted the challenge to execute cost savings and avoidance across the PGMR product line. The team s cost reduction initiatives are not only related to the original BBP initiatives but are focused on executing Kendall s guidance to pursue an optimal program structure. The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead Program (AWP) is one program within the precision guided munitions portfolio that embraced BBP 2.0 initiatives through program streamlining and continuous Should Cost management.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA608684

Entities

People

  • Christopher P. Hill

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Army Procurement
  • Best Practices
  • Cluster Munitions
  • Contracts
  • Cost Reductions
  • Costs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Military Acquisition
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System
  • Munitions
  • Performance Tests
  • Political Science
  • Precision
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unexploded Ammunition

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Space