A Systems Theoretic-Based Framework to Discover Pathologies in Acquisition System Governance
Loading...
Authors
Keating, Charles B.
Bradley, Joseph M.
Katina, Polinpapilinho F.
Jaradat, Ra’ed M.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2017-03
Date
2017-03
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The acquisition field continues to face increasing pressures to perform under conditions of escalating complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. These conditions suggest that traditional approaches, practices, and acquisition technologies might be incongruent with support demands for acquisition practitioners. This research is focused on exploiting and extending recent developments in Complex System Governance (CSG) to advance the acquisition field. CSG is focused on the design, execution, and evolution of fundamental system functions necessary for control, communications, coordination, and integration of complex systems (e.g., acquisition). CSG is based in Systems Theory (fundamental laws governing complex systems), Management Cybernetics (the science of effective system organization), and Governance (provision of direction, oversight, and accountability for systems). Recent advances in CSG (Keating, Katina, & Bradley, 2015) make this an opportune time for exploitation of this field to advance acquisition research and practice in novel ways. Following an introduction and literature review, this paper reports on efforts to (1) establish a systems theory based framework for Acquisition System Governance, (2) mapping of systems pathologies (systemic errors that degrade system performance) to a CSG Reference Model with implications for acquisition practice, and (3) suggests implications for moving CSG forward to improve acquisition practice. The paper closes with directions for bringing CSG to practice through research based application development.
Type
Report
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
SYM-AM-17-065
Sponsors
Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research Program
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.