The Air Force Computer Program Acquisition Concept
The Air Force Computer Program Acquisition Concept

Author: Milton V. Ratynski

Publisher:

Published: 1967

Total Pages: 41

ISBN-13:

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The paper describes the overall Air Force project that has been established to evolve a series of techniques for the acquisition and design control of computer programs and computer program data. The Air Force 375 System Management Concept proved to be the best model about which to structure and develop the technology and management process for computer program acquisition and development. To date, certain standards and techniques have been developed; namely, the concept of uniform specifications, design baseline management, design change controls, specification maintenance, and design accounting. Current studies are in progress to evolve computer program testing and validation standards, the systems engineering integration aspects, and the detailing of the generalized procedures and events as related to computer-oriented systems and programs. (Author).

Air Force Management of Computer Program Acquisition
Air Force Management of Computer Program Acquisition

Author: Joseph L. Pokorney

Publisher:

Published: 1966

Total Pages: 31

ISBN-13:

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This paper describes an effort to adapt the AFSCM375 series and AFSCM310 series management techniques to computer program acquisition. These techniques are unique in that they provide the first standardized management approach to computer program design and development. A complete process of management procedures that has been developed for management of computer programs during definition and acquisition phases is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on an extensive change package to AFSCM 375-1 Configuration Management During Definition and Acquisition Phases and a package of computer program data items for insertion in AFSCM/AFLCM 310-1 Data Management proposed by Electronic Systems Division of AFSC. The concepts of uniform specifications, baseline management, change control, specification maintenance and accounting and standard data items as they apply to computer programs are discussed and the impact of applying these techniques to System Programs is analyzed. (Author).

Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force
Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2016-10-25

Total Pages: 83

ISBN-13: 0309449065

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While there are examples of successful weapon systems acquisition programs within the U.S. Air Force (USAF), many of the programs are still incurring cost growth, schedule delays, and performance problems. The USAF now faces serious challenges in acquiring and maintaining its weapons systems as it strives to maintain its current programs; add new capabilities to counter evolving threats; and reduce its overall program expenditures. Owning the technical baseline is a critical component of the Air Force's ability to regain and maintain acquisition excellence. Owning the technical baseline allows the government acquisition team to manage and respond knowledgeably and effectively to systems development, operations, and execution, thereby avoiding technical and other programmatic barriers to mission success. Additionally, owning the technical baseline ensures that government personnel understand the user requirements, why a particular design and its various features have been selected over competing designs, and what the options are to pursue alternative paths to the final product given unanticipated cost, schedule, and performance challenges. Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force discusses the strategic value to the Air Force of owning the technical baseline and the risk of not owning it and highlights key aspects of how agencies other than the Air Force own the technical baseline for their acquisition programs. This report identifies specific barriers to owning the technical baseline for the Air Force and makes recommendations to help guide the Air Force in overcoming those barriers.

Concepts
Concepts

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1982

Total Pages: 704

ISBN-13:

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Disseminates information concerning new developments and effective actions taken relative to the management of defense systems programs and defense systems acquisition.

Pre-Milestone A and Early-Phase Systems Engineering
Pre-Milestone A and Early-Phase Systems Engineering

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2008-03-11

Total Pages: 150

ISBN-13: 0309114756

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The ability of U.S. military forces to field new weapons systems quickly and to contain their cost growth has declined significantly over the past few decades. There are many causes including increased complexity, funding instability, bureaucracy, and more diverse user demands, but a view that is gaining more acceptance is that better systems engineering (SE) could help shorten development time. To investigate this assertion in more detail, the US Air Force asked the NRC to examine the role that SE can play during the acquisition life cycle to address root causes of program failure especially during pre-milestone A and early program phases. This book presents an assessment of the relationship between SE and program outcome; an examination of the SE workforce; and an analysis of SE functions and guidelines. The latter includes a definition of the minimum set of SE processes that need to be accounted for during project development.

Concepts
Concepts

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1982

Total Pages: 712

ISBN-13:

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Disseminates information concerning new developments and effective actions taken relative to the management of defense systems programs and defense systems acquisition.

Optimizing U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense Review of Air Force Acquisition Programs
Optimizing U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense Review of Air Force Acquisition Programs

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-07-29

Total Pages: 122

ISBN-13: 030913918X

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The Department of Defense (DOD) spends over $300 billion each year to develop, produce, field and sustain weapons systems (the U.S. Air Force over $100 billion per year). DOD and Air Force acquisitions programs often experience large cost overruns and schedule delays leading to a loss in confidence in the defense acquisition system and the people who work in it. Part of the DOD and Air Force response to these problems has been to increase the number of program and technical reviews that acquisition programs must undergo. This book looks specifically at the reviews that U.S. Air Force acquisition programs are required to undergo and poses a key question: Can changes in the number, content, or sequence of reviews help Air Force program managers more successfully execute their programs? This book concludes that, unless they do it better than they are now, Air Force and DOD attempts to address poor acquisition program performance with additional reviews will fail. This book makes five recommendations that together form a gold standard for conduct of reviews and if implemented and rigorously managed by Air Force and DOD acquisition executives can increase review effectiveness and efficiency. The bottom line is to help program managers successfully execute their programs.