Centralized control of defense acquisition programs: a comparative review of the framework from 1987-2003
Abstract
In the last three years, there has been a great deal of turbulence in defense acquisition policy. This has led to confusion within the acquisition workforce over the major policy thrusts, terminology, and unobvious implications of the changes. The new acquisition framework has added complexity, with more phases and delineations of activity -- and both the number and level of decision reviews have been increased. Decision reviews are typically used as top management level control gates, and are also a feature of centralized control within a bureaucracy. Although the current stated policy is to foster an environment supporting flexibility and innovation, the new framework will cause Program Managers to devote more time and other resources managing the decision bureaucracy. Moreover, the implicit aspects of the still new model have not been fully realized, and may result in policy that actually lengthens programs and delivers yesterday's technology tomorrow -- counter to goals of rapid transformation. The framework, and its associated requirements for senior level reviews, are opposed to the rapid and evolutionary policy espoused, and are counter to appropriate management strategies for a transformational era.
NPS Report Number
NPS-GSBPP-03-003Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Nuclear Command, Control, and Stability Framework
Unknown author (2015-12-29);This project investigates the topic of nuclear command and control (C2) as a policy consideration for expressing and mitigating nuclear risks. The research was led by the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC) ... -
Dependable Software through a Holistic Framework of Tool Interoperability and Artifact Dependency
Luqi; Puett, J. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2002-07); NPS-SW-02-006Objectives. The goal of this research is to develop a holistic framework for engineering dependable computing and communications software. The framework establishes collaborative mechanisms by which existing software ... -
The Evolution of Warfare, the Laws of War, and the Ethical Implications of U.S. Detainee Policy in the Global War on Terror and Beyond
Sheie, Marc A. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2006-06);The atrocities committed by Americans at Abu Ghraib shocked the collective American moral conscience. Guilty of inhumane treatment of its prisoners there, Abu Ghraib did immeasurable damage to U.S. credibility and made ...