AACE International Total Cost Management Framework: An Integrated Approach to Portfolio, Program, and Project Management by Building a Broader Evidence Base for Defense Acquisition Policymaking by
The premise of this report is that acquisition policymaking should be data driven. However, there are limitations to relying on empirical (e.g., historical) data to guide acquisition policy. In light of these limitations, the authors argue that acquisition policymaking should be evidence based, in recognition of a wider variety of analytic tools that can be brought to bear on acquisition policy questions. This report, intended for acquisition professionals, summarizes the case for a broader evidence base and then focuses on one specific tool that the authors suggest might add analytic value: policy gaming.
Cost and Optimization in Government by
The careful management of costs and operations are two of the most essential elements for successful operation of any organization - public, private, or nonprofit. This book demonstrates that a good grounding in cost basics, especially those related to cost accounting, operations management, and quality control can help all organizations, in particular government, increase efficiency, improve performance, and, in the end, do a better job of running its everyday operation.
Cost and Value Management in Projects by
The newly revised and updated Second Edition of Cost and Value Management in Projects provides project managers with a thorough understanding of the various dimensions of cost and value in projects, along with the factors that impact them and the managerial approaches for achieving cost efficiency and value optimization. Whereas most cost management books discuss the topic from a tactical perspective, such as through the use of simple budgeting or Earned Value Analysis, this Second Edition addresses cost from a strategic perspective, examining project management decision areas that have the potential to enhance value and providing an integrated framework for managing cost.
Cost Management: A Strategic Emphasis by 
Cross-Chain Collaboration in Logistics: Looking Back and Ahead by
This book examines cross-chain control centers (4C), an ambitious concept in supply chain management and logistics that is intended to foster collaboration between different supply chains to increase efficiency. It provides an overview of the main results, insights, and other developments in the academic field of horizontal collaboration. Furthermore, it gives recommendations to governments, commercial companies, and academia on how to proceed with horizontal logistics collaboration in the years to come.
Defense Acquisition in Russia and China by
Since the 70s and 80s, U.S. defense acquisition has focused on sophisticated technologies, such as precision-guided weapons and stealth. Meanwhile, Russia and China have sought to modernize their legacy equipment while concurrently developing new and increasingly sophisticated systems of their own. This report discusses recent research into the research, development, and acquisition (RDA) processes of Russia and China—both doctrinally and in practice—and identifies areas in which each country excels and where each country has challenges.
Defense Acquisition is not Complicated: Insights from Complexity Theory for Reform by
Since the 1960s, analysts have examined defense reform from every angle, yet the problems of cost growth, schedule slippages, and technical performance shortfalls remain. This paper argues that attempts to reform the defense acquisition system over the past 60 years were unsuccessful because they did not recognize the nature of the acquisitions enterprise as a complex adaptive system. This fundamental error led to well-meaning but ineffective reforms that added complexity, thus making the acquisition system less manageable. The implications of this research are that many of the problems that acquisition reform seeks to fix are resolved when defense acquisition is viewed as a complex system. The paper concludes with recommendations grounded in insights from complex systems theory to prepare the defense acquisition system for emerging 21st century challenges.
Defense Management Reform: How to Make the Pentagon Work Better and Cost Less by
This book addresses why, despite decades of attempted reform, the Pentagon continues to struggle to reduce waste and inefficiency. Peter Levine narrates the history of attempted reforms through three case studies in civilian personnel, acquisition, and financial management in the Department of Defense. The result is a clear understanding of what went wrong in the past and a set of concrete guidelines to plot a better future.
Empowering the Defense Acquisition Workforce to Improve Mission Outcomes Using Data Science by
The effective use of data science (the science and technology of extracting value from data) improves, enhances, and strengthens acquisition decision-making and outcomes. Using data science to support decision making is not new to the defense acquisition community; its use by the acquisition workforce has enabled acquisition and thus defense successes for decades. This report identifies opportunities where data science can improve acquisition processes, the relevant data science skills and capabilities necessary for the acquisition workforce, and relevant models of data science training and education.
Improving Defense Acquisition: Insights from Three Decades of RAND Research by
Improving the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition system — the management and development processes by which the department acquires, develops, and sustains weapon systems, automated information systems, and services — has been an issue of sustained interest to policymakers since the beginning of the military establishment. In this report, researchers describe overarching trends that affect the defense acquisition system, outline challenges in DoD's defense acquisition process, and suggest improvements that might help address those challenges.
Incorporating Environmental Considerations into Defense Acquisition Practices by
The impacts of climate change and environmental threats have wide-ranging implications for the acquisition and sustainment of weapon systems and combat support systems, and the acquisition of goods and services. These impacts are increasingly perceived by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as a national security threat, and mitigating and adapting to such threats is increasingly emphasized in national security policy. In light of these challenges, RAND researchers assess the knowledge, tools, and capabilities needed by the acquisition workforce to infuse environmental considerations into DoD requirements, acquisition, and resource allocation decisionmaking.
The Laird-Packard Way: Unpacking Defense Acquisition Policy by
This paper contends that the study of David Packard, the co-founder of electronics firm giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) and one of the founding fathers of Silicon Valley, is essential for those who seek to understand better the realm of defense acquisition (the battles before the battle). Within the realm of defense acquisition, lessons learned from these developmental programs are analogous to lessons learned from battles and operational campaigns, while the evolution of acquisition policy is analogous to the evolution of warfighting doctrine. Packard's approach to acquisition, not the platforms themselves, is at the center of this study.
Strong Supply Chains Through Resilient Operations by
In Strong Supply Chains Through Resilient Operations: Five Principles for Leaders to Win in a Volatile World, a team of dedicated, veteran operations strategists delivers a practical and hands-on discussion of how to future-proof your company’s supply chains through a relentless focus on resilience.
Supply Chain Leadership by
Supply chain leaders are key to achieving sustainable supply chain excellence and long-term competitive advantage. This book addresses ‘big-picture’ supply chain leadership and provides a roadmap and practical advice to help supply chain leaders to successfully navigate this challenging social and technical environment.
Value-Based Management in Government by
Value-Based Management in Government introduces a new, integrating framework for management practices that optimizes the balancing of results sought; resources supplied and allocated; and risks accepted. These considerations are all balanced for the purpose of delivering maximum stakeholder value. The book offers guidance on how strategic planning, performance management, cost/resource management, and risk management must all be integrated as part of a portfolio management framework across the organization.