Achieving Effective Acquisition of Information Technology in the Department of Defense

Book Details

Author	National Research Council
Publisher	National Academies Press
Year	2010
Language	English
Pages	164
Size	942.23 KB
Extension	PDF

Summary

Achieving Effective Acquisition of Information Technology in the Department of Defense is a comprehensive study conducted by the National Research Council that addresses the persistent challenges facing the Department of Defense (DOD) in acquiring information technology (IT) systems. Published by the National Academies Press in 2010, this volume presents the findings and recommendations of a committee of experts in IT systems acquisition, testing and evaluation, commercial software development, software engineering, and computer science.

The book begins by acknowledging the profound advances that IT has enabled in weapons systems, command and control, logistics, and the overall management of defense operations. A substantial portion of the DOD budget is allocated to IT capabilities, ranging from commercial IT commodities to developmental systems supporting warfighting and functional applications, as well as IT components integrated into weapon systems. Despite decades of successful IT integration, the acquisition of IT systems remains plagued by serious challenges that threaten the DOD's ability to achieve its network-centric objectives.

To address these issues, the National Research Council assembled a team of experts to assess relevant legislative requirements, scrutinize the processes and capabilities of the commercial IT sector, analyze the DOD's approaches to systems engineering and testing in virtual environments, and evaluate the overall DOD acquisition landscape. The committee's analysis examined the entire lifecycle of IT acquisition, from initial requirements definition through development, testing, and deployment. The book provides a detailed examination of the systemic problems that have historically hindered IT acquisition, including issues related to requirements volatility, software development practices, testing methodologies, and the integration of complex systems.

The volume is organized to provide both a broad overview of the challenges and specific, actionable recommendations for improvement. It covers a wide range of topics, including the role of systems engineering in IT acquisition, the importance of testing and evaluation (T&E) throughout the development lifecycle, the potential benefits of using virtual environments for testing, and the need for better alignment between acquisition processes and the realities of commercial IT development. The book also explores the implications of network-centric warfare and the challenges of acquiring IT systems that must operate in increasingly complex and interconnected environments.

Designed for DOD acquisition professionals, policymakers, and researchers in defense-related fields, this book serves as a critical resource for understanding the complexities of IT acquisition in the defense sector. It offers a balanced perspective that acknowledges the unique challenges of the DOD environment while drawing on best practices from the commercial sector. The recommendations provided are intended to help the DOD achieve its network-centric goals by improving acquisition, systems engineering, and T&E processes, ultimately contributing to the development of more effective and reliable IT systems for the nation's defense.

Key Features

• Comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing the Department of Defense in acquiring information technology systems.
• Expert assessment from a committee of specialists in IT acquisition, systems engineering, software development, and testing.
• Detailed examination of the commercial IT sector's processes and capabilities for comparison and best practice identification.
• In-depth review of the DOD's systems engineering and testing approaches, including the use of virtual environments.
• Evaluation of relevant legislative requirements and their impact on IT acquisition processes.
• Actionable recommendations for improving acquisition, systems engineering, and testing and evaluation processes.
• Focus on achieving the DOD's network-centric objectives through better IT acquisition practices.
• Case studies and examples illustrating successful and unsuccessful IT acquisition programs.
• Exploration of the role of commercial IT practices in defense acquisition.
• Analysis of the implications of network-centric warfare for IT acquisition.
• Insights into the challenges of integrating IT components into weapon systems.
• Practical guidance for DOD acquisition professionals and policymakers.

About the Author

This volume was prepared by the Committee on Improving Processes and Policies for the Acquisition and Test of Information Technologies in the Department of Defense, a committee of the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, National Research Council. The National Research Council (NRC) is the operating arm of the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The NRC provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation on matters of science, technology, and medicine. The committee was composed of experts from academia, industry, and government with deep expertise in IT systems acquisition, testing and evaluation, commercial software development, software engineering, and computer science.

Related Books

• Defense Acquisition Reform, 1960-2009: An Annotated Bibliography by James R. Pappas
• Acquisition of Information Technology in the Department of Defense by National Research Council
• Systems Engineering for the Digital Age: Practitioner Perspectives by Dinesh Verma
• The Department of Defense: Acquisition of Major Weapon Systems by U.S. Government Accountability Office
• Network-Centric Warfare: Developing and Leveraging Information Superiority by David S. Alberts
• Software Engineering for Defense Systems by Richard S. Wiener
• Acquisition and Test of Information Technologies in the Department of Defense by National Research Council

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can I learn by reading this book?

A: You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing the Department of Defense in acquiring information technology systems, along with actionable recommendations for improving acquisition, systems engineering, and testing processes.

Q: Is this book suitable for beginners?

A: The book is written for DOD acquisition professionals, policymakers, and researchers. While it provides a thorough overview, some familiarity with defense acquisition processes and IT systems will be helpful for readers new to the topic.

Q: Is this book recommended for professionals?

A: Absolutely. It is an essential resource for DOD acquisition professionals, systems engineers, program managers, and policymakers seeking to improve IT acquisition outcomes.

Q: What topics are covered in this book?

A: The book covers IT acquisition challenges, systems engineering practices, testing and evaluation methodologies, commercial IT sector processes, legislative requirements, and recommendations for achieving the DOD's network-centric goals.

Q: Why is this book useful for students and researchers?

A: It provides a detailed, evidence-based analysis of a critical area of defense policy, offering valuable insights for students and researchers in defense studies, public policy, systems engineering, and information technology.

Q: Does the book include case studies?

A: Yes, the book includes examples and case studies illustrating both successful and unsuccessful IT acquisition programs within the DOD.

Q: How does this book address the DOD's network-centric objectives?

A: The book examines the implications of network-centric warfare for IT acquisition and provides recommendations to help the DOD achieve its network-centric goals through improved acquisition processes.