Sources of Weapon System Cost Growth: Analysis of 35 Major Defense Acquisition Programs / Edition 1

by Joseph G. Bolten, Robert S. Leonard, Mark V. Arena, Obaid Younossi, Jerry M. Sollinger

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780833042897
Publisher:	RAND Corporation
Publication date:	07/02/2008
Series:	Project Air Force
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mark V. Arena (Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, Stanford University) is a physical scientist at RAND.

Obaid Younossi (B.S. Mechanical Engineering University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA) is an engineer, Research Staff Management Division.

Jerry Sollinger (PhD., English, University of Pittsburgh) is a communications analyst at RAND.