1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910220104803321

Titolo

Sources of weapon system cost growth : analysis of 35 major defense acquisition programs / / Joseph G. Bolten ... [et al.]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Santa Monica, CA, : Rand Corp., c2008

ISBN

1-281-73655-4

9786611736552

0-8330-4524-5

Edizione

[1st ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xxv, 90 pages) : illustrations

Altri autori (Persone)

BoltenJ. G <1944-> (Joseph George)

Disciplina

355.6/212

Soggetti

Military engineering

United States Armed Forces Weapons systems Costs

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 89-90).

Nota di contenuto

Cover; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; CHAPTER ONE  Introduction; Background; Objective of This Study; Organization of This Report; CHAPTER TWO  Study Approach; Selection of Programs for Analysis; Selected Acquisition Reports; Classifying Cost-Growth Variances; Problems in Interpreting SAR Cost-Variance Data; Analysis of Programs; Cost-Variance Categories; Mapping of SAR Variance Categories; Problems in Categorizing Cost Growth; CHAPTER THREE  Cost Growth in Selected Programs; Presentation of Data; Multiservice Program Sample

Comparison of Cost Growth in Air Force and Non-Air Force Programs Total Cost Growth, by Type of Program; CHAPTER FOUR  Summary and Recommendations; Cost-Allocation Challenges; Results of This Analysis; Where Should Air Force Decisionmakers Direct Their Focus?; Future Research; APPENDIX A  Cost Growth of Individual Programs; APPENDIX B Weighted Cost Growth; APPENDIX C Trigger Events; APPENDIX D  OSD Guidance and Definitions of the SAR Cost-Variance Categories; Bibliography

Sommario/riassunto

This analysis uses data from Selected Acquisition Reports to determine the causes of cost growth in 35 mature major defense acquisition programs. Four major sources of growth are identified: (1) errors in



estimation and scheduling, (2) decisions by the government, (3) financial matters, and (4) miscellaneous. The analysis shows that more than two-thirds of cost growth (measured as simple averages) is caused by decisions, most of which involve quantity changes, requirements growth, and schedule changes.