Defense Acquisition:

Employing Best Practices Can Shape Better Weapon System Decisions

T-NSIAD-00-137: Published: Apr 26, 2000. Publicly Released: Apr 26, 2000.

Additional Materials:

Contact:

Louis J. Rodrigues
(404) 679-1900
contact@gao.gov

 

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed issues the Department of Defense (DOD) faces in its acquisition of weapon systems.

GAO noted that: (1) the pressures of competing for the funds to launch and sustain a weapon system program create incentives for starting programs too early; overpromising performance capabilities; and understating expected costs, schedules, and risks associated with developing and producing the weapon; (2) leading commercial firms have adopted a knowledge-based approach to developing new products that embodies incentives that encourage realism, candor, and meeting product expectations; (3) making sure that new technology is mature--that is, demonstrated that it works--is the foundation for this approach; (4) DOD's variances from best commercial practices result in higher costs, compromised performance, and questionable cost benefit approaches; (5) a knowledge-based approach can be used to reshape DOD's acquisition process; (6) by itself, such a process will not produce better program outcomes unless it influences the decisions made on individual weapon systems; (7) if a knowledge-based acquisition process is put in place and used, there are potential benefits that transcend individual program outcomes; and (8) specifically, the ability to execute a program more predictably within cost and schedule estimates would lessen the need to offset cost increases by disrupting other modernization programs.

Oct 11, 2018

Oct 10, 2018

Oct 9, 2018

Sep 24, 2018

Sep 20, 2018

Sep 10, 2018

Sep 6, 2018

Sep 5, 2018

Sep 4, 2018

Looking for more? Browse all our products here