Project management in major systems acquisition for the Polish Armed Forces

Abstract

This project investigates the potential role of project management policy in major systems acquisition for the Polish Armed Forces (PAF). It includes a short overview of program management in the United States Department of Defense (DoD); analysis of present procedures in the PAF; a cost and benefit discussion of implementing the policy in Poland; and finally, a discussion of possible solutions and implementation plans. The PAF have undergone major transformation since the fall of the Berlin's wall and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. Serious reduction of the PAF has been accompanied by technical restructuring and modernization of several major weapon systems, which must meet new, high NATO standards. Successful and effective managing of the acquisition process seems to be crucial for the new shape of the PAF. However, no centralized management across all phases of the acquisition process exists in Poland at the moment. Different military and civilian authorities dominate different phases of the acquisition process. There is an urgent need to implement project management policy in order to consolidate the efforts of all the branches and to ensure a successful transformation of the PAF.