Why Is Defense Acquisition So Difficult?

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This chart at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) shows the Integrated Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Life Cycle Management System for a whole program’s life.

It starts at program conception and then moves through demilitarization and disposal. As you can see it is a rather complicated process with several major reviews. At each review a series of documents must be prepared that explain and justify the program and make sure it is meeting all regulatory and statutory requirements. As such for a large program it can take a small Army working several years to accomplish everything.

The other issue is that the amount of testing required also may affect schedule. For a program to advance through the steps it has to pass it tests. Fail a few and that may add months to your schedule. In defense acquisition especially time is money. The longer something takes, the more expensive it is.

If you would like a version to print out and hang on your wall like so many Department of Defense offices it may be found here at the publications part of the DAU website.

Tags: Defense Acquisition University, Supply Chain, Mergers & Acquisitions, Construction, Web Site Development, Corporate Law, Business Operations, Investment, Finance, Internet, Matthew Potter

Matthew Potter works supporting US Army aviation programs. He holds degrees in history as well as studying at the Defense Acquisition University. He has written for Seeking Alpha and at his own website, Defense Procurement News.

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