Management of Defense Acquisition Projects

Defense acquisition projects cost billions of taxpayer dollars each year. These huge investments, coupled with seemingly perennial criticisms of waste and mismanagement, point out the need for a clearly written guide to the myriad functions and issues involved in defense acquisition management. This book, written for both students and practitioners, enables the reader to understand the broad range of disciplines and activities that must be integrated in order to achieve successful acquisition outcomes.Written by academics and practitioners from the Naval Postgraduate School, the book provides a basic overview of each functional area that supports defense acquisition projects as well as its application to those projects. These functional areas include systems engineering, financial management, contract management, test and evaluation, production management, and logistics and sustainment. The book also highlights significant issues such as organizational considerations, the defense industrial base, and acquisition workforce issues. Learning objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter and study questions are provided at the end of each chapter.It is written in a manner that will withstand the many DOD policy changes that are often associated with defense acquisition programs, giving the book a long and enduring shelf life.

Dr. Rendon is Senior Lecturer of Acquisition Management, Graduate School of Business and Public Policy at the Naval Postgraduate School. He has earned BBA, MBA, and DBA degrees as well as CPCM, C.P.M. and PMP certifications. He was recognized with the USAF Outstanding Officer in Contracting Award and the National Contract Management Association National Education Award and the NCMA Outstanding Fellow Award. Author of numerous publications in the fields of contract management, supply management, and project management, Dr. Rendon's publications also include U. S. Military Program Management: Lessons Learned & Best Practices (2007), and Contract Management Organizational Assessment Tools (2005). Dr. Snider is Associate Professor of Public Administration and Management, Graduate School of Business and Public Policy, at the Naval Postgraduate School. He earned a B.S. from the United States Military Academy, M.S. in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, and Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Virginia Tech. Author of numerous publications in the fields of acquisition, public administration, and project management, he received the Khi V. Thai Research Scholar of the Year Award at the 2008 National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Annual Forum.