Author: Paul Francis
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: reform, congressional, testimony, lasting, course, acquisitions, charting, defense
Number of Pages: 17
Published: 2010-01
ISBN-10: 1437915760
ISBN-13: 9781437915761

Since 1990, the Dept. of Defense's (DoD) management of its major weapon acquisitions has been designated as a high-risk area; however, DoD's problems delivering weapon systems on time, at the estimated cost, in the planned amounts, and with the promised performance go back decades. This statement describes the poor outcomes on weapon system investments that make reform imperative; attributes of the requirements, funding, and acquisition processes that will need to change for reform to be effective; and positive steps that Congress and DoD have taken to improve weapon program outcomes. Illustra

Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: assessment, weapon, systems, options, robust, provided, acquisitions, analyses, alternatives, defense
Number of Pages: 41
Published: 2010-03
ISBN-10: 1437924743
ISBN-13: 9781437924749

DoD weapon programs often experience significant cost and schedule problems because they are allowed to start with too many technical unknowns and not enough knowledge about the development and production risks they entail. This report reviews DoD's Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) process -- intended to assess the operational effectiveness, costs, and risks of alternative weapon system solutions. This report: (1) examines whether AOAs have been effective in identifying the most promising options and providing a sound rationale for weapon program initiation; (2) determines what factors have affe

Author: Gene L. Dodaro
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: weapon, programs, selected, assessments, acquisitions, defense
Number of Pages: 190
Published: 2010-01
ISBN-10: 1437914691
ISBN-13: 9781437914696

This report examines how well DoD is planning and executing its weapon acquisition programs. The report includes: (1) an analysis of the overall performance of DoD's 2008 portfolio of 96 major defense acquisition programs and a comparison to the portfolio performance at two other points in time -- 5 years ago and 1 year ago; (2) an analysis of current cost and schedule outcomes and knowledge attained by key junctures in the acquisition process for a subset of 47 weapon programs -- primarily in development -- from the 2008 portfolio; (3) data on other factors that could impact program stability

Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: acquiring, approach, weapon, systems, testimony, congressional, incremental, resources, dod, acquisitions, balance, needs, available, defense
Number of Pages: 25
Published: 2009-08
ISBN-10: 1437915183
ISBN-13: 9781437915181

A broad consensus exists that weapon system problems are serious, but efforts at reform have had limited impact. Last year, it was reported that DoD's portfolio of weapon programs experienced cost growth of $295 billion from first estimates, were delayed by an average of 21 months, and delivered fewer quantities and capabilities to the war-fighter than originally planned. This testimony describes the systemic problems that contribute to the cost, schedule, and performance problems in weapon system programs, recent actions that DoD has taken to address these problems, proposed reform legislatio

Author: Michael Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: acquisition, reforms, congressional, testimony, performance, program, acquisitions, observations, weapon, defense
Number of Pages: 19
Published: 2010-11
ISBN-10: 1437934714
ISBN-13: 9781437934717

The past two years have seen the Congress and the DoD take meaningful steps towards addressing long-standing weapon acquisition issues -- an area that has been on the high risk list since 1990. This testimony focuses on the progress DoD has made in improving the planning and execution of its weapon acquisition programs and the potential for recent acquisition reforms to improve program outcomes. The testimony includes observations about: (1) DoD's efforts to manage its portfolio of major defense acquisition programs; (2) the knowledge attained at key junctures of a subset of 42 weapon programs

Author: Michael Sullivan
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: environment, acquisition, weapon, system, quality, dod�s, improve, focus, increased, requirements, oversight, needed, practices
Number of Pages: 61
Published: 2008-05-01
ISBN-10: 143790033X
ISBN-13: 9781437900330

Compares quality mgmt. practices used by the DoD & its contractors to those used by leading commercial co¿s. & made suggestions for improvement. The report: determined the impact of quality problems on selected weapon systems & prime contractor practices that contributed to the problems; identified commercial practices that can be used to improve DoD weapon systems; identified problems that DoD must overcome; & identified recent DoD initiatives that could improve quality. The author examined 11 DoD weapon systems with known quality problems & met with quality officials from DoD, defense prime

Author: Louis J. Rodrigues
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Keywords: system, programs, weapon, contribute, dod, suppliers, practices
Number of Pages: 72
Published: 1998-06
ISBN-10: 0788180827
ISBN-13: 9780788180828

Assesses whether best commercial supplier practices offer ways to improve the process DoD uses to manage suppliers engaged in developing & producing major weapon systems. Also determines how differences in commercial & DoD environments for managing suppliers affect the corresponding practices. Identifies best commercial practices for establishing, managing, & sustaining excellent supplier relationships. Compares these practices with those of DoD, selected prime contractors, & the supplier teams on two weapon system programs. Makes recommendations to DoD that are intended to help it improve the