Acquisition Reform: Making It a Reality
Colleen A. Preston

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The post-Cold War era poses new political, economical and military security challenges for the United States that mandate defense acquisition reform. The author discusses acquisition reform efforts to date, addresses ongoing efforts and invites readers to "share best practices."

Restructuring DoD: Study the High-tech Commercial World
Walter B. LaBerge

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The author discusses massive restructuring within our military services and expresses concern that those leading this effort will not have the experience to manage that vital but traumatic event. This article compares the applicability of recent U.S. high-tech corporation experience in dealing with similar business situations.

Cost Overrun Optimism: Fact or Fiction?
David D. Christensen

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When taken to extreme, program advocacy can result in the suppression of adverse information about the status of a program. To test this assertion, the author examines cost overrun data on 64 acquisition contracts extracted from the Defense Acquisition Executive Summary database.

Through a Glass Darkly: The Anomaly of Streamlined Management
Gail C. Allen and Charles J. Yoos II

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The authors observed the term "streamlined management" is being used indiscriminately and asked what that meant.

Mobilizing the Defense Contracting Process
Robert G. Morrison, Jr.

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In peacetime, seemingly unrelated laws and regulations present DoD acquisition professionals with many unique, but tolerable, challenges. The author discusses them in the context of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and other national emergencies, when the acquisition process impacts directly on the battlefield and delays incident to unrelated laws and regulations are not tolerable.

Variance Analysis within C/SCSC
George J. Chambers

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Variance analysis is performed to determine causes of variances in program cost, schedule, or both, and the development of proposed resolution of problems indicated by the variances. The author discusses this analysis at the Hughes Aircraft Company Ground Systems Group.

The Role of Demonstration Approaches in Acquisition Reform
Larry Lynn

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The author discusses force modernization and how demonstration approaches represented by Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs) are important as a cost-savings prerequisite to acquiring new capabilities.

Converting the Military-Industrial Complex: Why It's Difficult
Peter Horton

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The author examines characteristics of the management structure and modus operandi of the defense industry that may complicate conversion to commercial markets. He argues that venture capital for entrepreneurial investment in potential commercial projects has a better chance for success than government initiatives to facilitate conversion through federally funded and managed technology development projects.

Defense Contracting Buyer-Seller Relationships: Theoretical Approaches
Carl R. Templin

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The author examines three theoretical approaches to defining defense buyer-seller relationships and discusses how each theory contributes unique insights into defense buyer-seller relationships that can help evaluate contracting laws, regulations, policies and management approaches for specific acquisition environments.

Factors Affecting New Product Developments
John T. Shields

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The author reviewed and analyzed 14 commercial and 13 Department of Defense new product developments to help understand factors responsible for reducing development times. He asks how can U.S. companies be world competitors through quick new product development.

Using Data Types and Scales for Analysis and Decision Making
Richard Pariseau and Ivar Oswalt

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As the selection among alternatives and allocation of scarce resources is increasingly subjected to critical review and public second guessing, the popularity of quantitative prioritization schemes is increasing. The authors say program managers, decision makers, and analysts must recognize the types of data scales and understand the numerical manipulations that can be performed with each type.

Coming Up Golden: Defense Acquisition Board Review Guide for Program Offices
Harvey R. Greenberg and Lynn B. Palley

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The authors discuss the 1993 Joint STARS Defense Acquisition Review Board (DAB) review for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). They use this article to document lessons learned for the Joint STARS experience, written primarily from a program office perspective, and to provide suggestions for future programs facing DAB reviews.

The Lemon Juice Solution: DoD Acquisition Reform and Pollution Prevention
Sherri W. Goodman

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Making modern weapon systems can, and often does, have an adverse impact on the environment. But, things are changing. The author focuses on the need to use environmentally sensitive technologies in defending America. We need to do the job with less pollution.

The Role of Information Technology in National Security Policy
Robert E. Neilson

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National security is a subject of interest to most everyone. The author uses a descriptive model linking governmental information technology policy making processes with capacity building processes that add to the economic and military dimensions of national security.

Software Development Standards and the DoD Program Manager
Paul V. Shebalin

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A recent policy change removed the requirement for Department of Defense program managers to adhere to a strict framework of military standards and specifications. The necessity remains, however, for applying effectual contractual software development standards. The author believes that the proper application of any DoD software development standard will continue to be a difficult task for the program manager.

Marrying Commercial and Military Technologies: A New Strategy for Maintaining Technological Supremacy
Jeanne C. Sutton

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Most of the weapon systems that performed so impressively in Desert Storm were based on 15- to 20-year old technology. But, the past is not a bellwether for the future. The author discusses potential problems in maintaining the technological advantage America has enjoyed since World War II and suggests ways to strengthen our science and technology base.

Defense Industrial Base Policy: Revisited
Michael E. Heberling

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A defense industrial policy that accommodates decreasing budgets, changing enemy threats and marketplace realities is a major requirement. The author discusses defense industrial policy goals and suggests that collectively they may be unobtainable.

Small Business Manufacturing: An Important Component of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Richard M. Williams

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Small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses have always been an important player in the defense industrial base. The author looks at the contribution of these businesses to the defense industrial base and at challenges facing both large and small U.S. defense industries.

Using Explicit Demand Curves in an Acquisition Strategy
Mark W. Glenn

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The author examines sole- and dual-source production and their cost implications, and suggests the use of explicit demand curves.