Developing Systems in a Changing Environment: An Army Example

Abstract

The first Gulf War revealed fundamental weaknesses in the Army's vast and complex logistics network. These flaws led to a lack of timeliness and inefficiency in delivering supplies, repair parts, and equipment to the units that needed them. Recognizing the need to adopt the best practices of private-sector supply-chain management, the Department of Defense (DoD) and Army leaders began strategic planning efforts directed toward logistics reform. Principal targets for reform were the Army's 30-year-old logistics information-management systems.