Analyzing the Army's configuration management system applicability to a commercial cataloguing system

Abstract

General Motors and Ford Motor Company maintain complete Configuration Control of their products and automobiles. That is, a customer orders a replacement vehicle part from their local dealership. Within a few days, they receive the part that meets the form, fit, and function requirement. Military personnel requiring replacement or spare parts must submit a written request which requires the part name, number with revision level, and the national stock number. Barring any delays, the part is received within two to three days. In most cases, however, there are delays and it takes up to several weeks to receive the part. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the key elements required for Configuration Management, identify policies, procedures, and regulations that govern, shape and dictate secondary item procurements, and to analyze Department of the Army's and Industry's spare parts procurement process. This thesis shows the Department of the Army's and Industry's Configuration Management models are similar; but the polices and regulations that govern, shape and dictate secondary item procurements are quite different; and that Congress and Government agencies must change their policies to adapt to commercial practices. The thesis also demonstrates that the current direction the Government is taking in acquisition reform will seriously impede improvements in the field of Configuration Management, which encompasses the development and maintenance of technical data packages that support secondary item procurements