The Key Elements and Drivers of the Defense Acquisition System

Abstract

A systemic diagram (systemigram) was developed to provide a systems view of the key elements and drivers of the complex defense acquisition system in the United States. An iterative process was used to develop the systemigram, after assessing the basic relationships among key actors and organizations within the system. The diagram provides a high-level overview of the Department of Defense ecosystem as it relates to acquisition, addressing the lack of available high-level visual representations of the overall acquisition system elements and their basic interactions within the literature. Using this diagram, individuals unfamiliar with the defense acquisition system can become better acquainted with it, while those familiar with defense acquisition are provided with a useful artifact to stimulate shared understanding, spark conversations about how to improve acquisition outcomes, and focus on the key inputs, processes, and ultimate goal of military capability.