It's Time to Take the Chill Out of Cost Containment and Re-energize Key Acquisition Practice

Abstract

Unless program managers (PM) tackle cost containment head-on, future weapon system acquisition successes may be jeopardized, resulting in fewer products and services to equip the nation's warfighters. The United States can ill afford any decrease in its preparedness when the nation is currently waging war on two fronts. This research examines cost containment in the context of Total Life Cycle Cost Management. A more thorough understanding and aggressive application of cost-containment strategies could conceivably shift acquisition outcomes to a more cost-effective posture. Responding to a survey conducted as part of this research, 887 Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition professionals provided input on cost containment, including tool types and associated processes. Of those 887 respondents, 223 were current or former DoD PMs with over 11 years of experience the primary basis of this research analysis.