Schedule risks associated with Modularity, Agility, and Middle Tier Acquisition
Abstract
Major defense acquisition programs take about eight years to proceed from program initiation to an initial operational capability. This cycle time is longer than it takes adversaries to create new problems for operational military forces. Prior statutory changes have not significantly affected cycle times. Recent changes created middle tier acquisition programs intended to deliver capabilities and products in less than five years. These middle tier acquisition programs are rapid prototyping and fielding pathways with new governance, acquisition authorities and schedule duration tied to requirements approval dates. Over 30 middle tier acquisition programs have been started since 2018, and the Department of Defense is continuing to develop guidance for these new program types. Program offices must concurrently adapt to both emergent guidance and programmatic realities. Including innovations such as system modularity and agile system development methods into these new program types can create additional programmatic schedule risks and opportunities. These in-stride adaptations can affect the capability of a program office to deliver an effective system within promised cycle times. This research will explore schedule growth risks associated with new acquisition pathways and process innovations. It will use public data to identify schedule-related risk factors associated with middle tier acquisition and process innovations. Quantitative schedule models for middle tier acquisition programs will be developed to predict schedule durations associated with application of various innovations within rapid acquisition pathways. Case studies will be used to highlight significant factors affecting delivering a capability within five years of program start. Schedule growth risk mitigation strategies will be developed and analyzed to understand what approaches are effective in mitigating these risks. This research will contribute to the understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with recent acquisition process changes. The research results will be useful to program offices and acquisition leadership in executing current and future rapid acquisition programs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 2020
- Source ID
- HQ00342010010
Entities
People
- Amirhossein Etemadi
Organizations
- George Washington University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Washington Headquarters Services