Making Time from Data: Toward Realistic Acquisition Schedule Estimates

Abstract

This paper continues a research agenda started in 2016 with an aim of more realistic acquisition program scheduling estimates, especially for the development (SSD) phase. We discuss acquisition management as a system, and its execution (especially with respect to schedule) from the perspective of Systems Dynamics (SD). We then present two episodes from F-35 program history. We then essay an integration of the SD method with these episodes using Cooper’s (1998) failure modes. Finally, we present a discussion of system performance as a potential metric for schedule estimation and analysis (through schedule estimating relationships.)