Network study


Request for information


Vendor visits


Antenna study


Antenna placement study


Prototyping effort


(3 aircraft)


Kit proof (low-rate initial


production)


Full production


LESS-RISKY BUSINESS


When USSOCOM wanted to improve communication equipment on C-17 aircraft, it followed the path outlined here, including prototyping, proofing and vendor visits. Risk declined with each step toward full-rate production. (Image courtesy of the author and U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center)


ZEROING IN FOR THE WIN Back shop efforts, studies and proto- typing: Every program office should have a number of back shop efforts ongoing. Tese are the things that your engineers play and tinker with, such as vendor- provided equipment acquired via purchase or no-cost loan agreements and things from other services or program offices that might meet a need in your program office. You should have back shop efforts; it shows that your engineers are curious enough to guide your program past the potential dead ends and to the right solution. Also, if you have back shop efforts churning along, you will capture the intellectual high ground in meetings with your customers and suppliers. You


will not end up just going with whatever the vendors or your requirements people tell you. You will have credibility.


Studies are the secret weapon of the credible PM. Tey are the ultimate way for the PM to capture the intellectual high ground in their industry or area of expertise; they carry a huge amount of credibility. Commissioning a study shows that a PM has the foresight to bring in an expert to examine the alternatives and to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each potential course of action. In short, doing a study means you did your homework. Very few things will zero you in for the win like a righteous study.


Prototyping is about a lot more than just trying out different potential solu- tions. Building prototypes actually does a number of things for the PM. Te word


“prototype” lowers everyone’s expectations, so if it flops, no harm, no foul—it was just a prototype. However, if it’s a home run, a prototype gives the PM a jump on production. Additionally, prototyping gives the PM office time to get a jump on the paperwork required to field, and eventually get to a full materiel release.


Also, doing more than one or two proto- types gives a vendor the opportunity to shake out the production process. Finally, prototyping allows the PM to declare the core of the product as solid while


ASC.ARMY.MIL 91


COMMENTARY


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