Toward affordable systems

Toward affordable systems

portfolio analysis and management for Army science and technology programs

by Brian G. Chow

Part of Rand Corporation monograph series

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About
Consistent with U.S. Department of Defense acquisition policy since 2003, U.S. Army leadership has called for consideration of lifecycle cost at system design and technology development stages so that adjustments can be made early enough to ensure affordability. This study developed and demonstrated a method and model to incorporate lifecycle cost into the portfolio analysis and management process for Army Science and Technology programs. The linear programming model developed here can select an optimized portfolio of Science and Technology projects to meet all individual capability requirements at the lowest total remaining lifecycle cost. The study results demonstrate several applications important to the management of Army Science and Technology programs, as well as estimation methods for the contribution of Science and Technology projects to capability requirements and for cost components.

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  1. 1

    How does the book's core premise—that financial affordability must be considered at the earliest stages of design—challenge traditional approaches to innovation and technological development?

  2. 2

    In your own professional or personal projects, how often do you plan for the "lifecycle cost" (long-term maintenance and operations) rather than just the initial investment?

  3. 3

    The text discusses using linear programming and optimization models to manage a portfolio of projects; how do you feel about relying on mathematical algorithms versus human intuition in high-stakes decision-making?

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