Sources of weapon system cost growth : : analysis of 35 major defense acquisition programs / / Joseph G. Bolten [et al.]

• TeilnehmendeR: Bolten, J. G. 1944-
• Place / Publishing House: Santa Monica, CA : : Rand Corp.,, 2008.; ©2008
• Year of Publication: 2008
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (xxv, 90 pages) :; illustrations
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This analysis uses data from Selected Acquisition Reports to determine the causes of cost growth in 35 mature major defense acquisition programs. Four major sources of growth are identified: (1) errors in estimation and scheduling, (2) decisions by the government, (3) financial matters, and (4) miscellaneous. The analysis shows that more than two-thirds of cost growth (measured as simple averages) is caused by decisions, most of which involve quantity changes, requirements growth, and schedule changes.

Table of Contents

Cover; Preface; Contents; Figures; Tables; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; CHAPTER ONE Introduction; Background; Objective of This Study; Organization of This Report; CHAPTER TWO Study Approach; Selection of Programs for Analysis; Selected Acquisition Reports; Classifying Cost-Growth Variances; Problems in Interpreting SAR Cost-Variance Data; Analysis of Programs; Cost-Variance Categories; Mapping of SAR Variance Categories; Problems in Categorizing Cost Growth; CHAPTER THREE Cost Growth in Selected Programs; Presentation of Data; Multiservice Program Sample

Comparison of Cost Growth in Air Force and Non-Air Force Programs Total Cost Growth, by Type of Program; CHAPTER FOUR Summary and Recommendations; Cost-Allocation Challenges; Results of This Analysis; Where Should Air Force Decisionmakers Direct Their Focus?; Future Research; APPENDIX A Cost Growth of Individual Programs; APPENDIX B Weighted Cost Growth; APPENDIX C Trigger Events; APPENDIX D OSD Guidance and Definitions of the SAR Cost-Variance Categories; Bibliography