Methods for Efficient Integration of Rapid Response Projects into Large Weapon Systems

The military has attempted to keep up with the rapid pace of commercial change by employing rapid acquisition guidance, but with limited success. The United States military continues to struggle with integration of emerging commercial technologies into complex systems used by soldiers in unique environments. More typically, these integration strategies are plagued by unexpected delays and expenses. Current strategies are purely qualitative in nature focusing only on maturing Project technology levels, with limited success in delivering the technology into mainstream weapon systems. This research introduces a System Dynamics Model to determine the cost and schedule impacts of using different strategies to integrate Rapid Response Projects into Large Weapon System Programs. A large program is defined as complex program that spans multiple years and involves multiple phases and integration of multiple capabilities. The Model provides Engineering Managers a tool with which to assess various integration strategies in their development plans. The model is calibrated with cost and schedule data from past successful deliveries of a Project into a Program. The results show that a strategy of accepting higher TRL capabilities earlier in the integration timeline reduces overall program costs (to include the cost of the Rapid Response Capability). Integrating a capability 6 months earlier can reduce overall program costs by 2%. There is no evidence to suggest that changing management reserve from the traditional 10% has significant cost impact. Evidence exists to show that delivering an “80% Solution” results in a defect rate of at least 30%. Finally, in comparing combinations of these factors, the best strategy is to accept a High TRL capability early in the Program, however, evidence suggest that the second-best strategy is integration of a lower TRL capability early in the Program, which beat out accepting a higher TRL capability later in the program.

Author

• Dimitriou, Aristos

Language

• en

Keyword

• Systems Engineering
• Project Management
• Engineering Management
• System Dynamics

Date created

• 2020

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Engineering Management

Degree

• D.Engr.

Advisor

• Fossaceca, John
• Sarkani, Shahryar

Committee Member(s)

• Sarkani, Shahryar
• Etemadi, Amir
• Fossaceca, John

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/12579s858