AN ANALYSIS OF METRICS TRENDS IDENTIFIED BY THE ARMY'S OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT REVIEWS

Abstract

This research provides an analysis of sustainment metrics and their application by product support managers (PSMs) within the context of the Army's operational sustainment review (OSR) process. The research explored the Department of Defense and Army guidance regarding metrics utilization for weapon systems. The research also details the OSR process and its relevancy as a method to consistently and repeatedly analyze metrics.

The metrics used by PSMs in their respective OSRs were analyzed for uniqueness, commonality, and value to the PSM for monitoring sustainment performance. The research determined that the principles of what makes a metric valuable reside in both the criteria and quality of that metric and whether it can effectively measure a useful aspect of the system.

The research also uncovered systemic gaps in data collection for sustainment-related metrics impacting the PSMs' ability to do proper analysis. The ability to measure particular aspects of sustainment performance must be considered as part of the system's design and ultimate operation, or it is unlikely the same measurements will be available outside of a test environment.This research provides an analysis of sustainment metrics and their application by product support managers (PSMs) within the context of the Army's operational sustainment review (OSR) process. The research explored the Department of Defense and Army guidance regarding metrics utilization for weapon systems. The research also details the OSR process and its relevancy as a method to consistently and repeatedly analyze metrics.

The metrics used by PSMs in their respective OSRs were analyzed for uniqueness, commonality, and value to the PSM for monitoring sustainment performance. The research determined that the principles of what makes a metric valuable reside in both the criteria and quality of that metric and whether it can effectively measure a useful aspect of the system.

The research also uncovered systemic gaps in data collection for sustainment-related metrics impacting the PSMs' ability to do proper analysis. The ability to measure particular aspects of sustainment performance must be considered as part of the system's design and ultimate operation, or it is unlikely the same measurements will be available outside of a test environment.This research provides an analysis of sustainment metrics and their application by product support managers (PSMs) within the context of the Army's operational sustainment review (OSR) process. The research explored the Department of Defense and Army guidance regarding metrics utilization for weapon systems. The research also details the OSR process and its relevancy as a method to consistently and repeatedly analyze metrics.

The metrics used by PSMs in their respective OSRs were analyzed for uniqueness, commonality, and value to the PSM for monitoring sustainment performance. The research determined that the principles of what makes a metric valuable reside in both the criteria and quality of that metric and whether it can effectively measure a useful aspect of the system.

The research also uncovered systemic gaps in data collection for sustainment-related metrics impacting the PSMs' ability to do proper analysis. The ability to measure particular aspects of sustainment performance must be considered as part of the system's design and ultimate operation, or it is unlikely the same measurements will be available outside of a test environment.