Cross-functional training provides opportunities to participate in group-focused learning, peer discussions and interactive learning scenarios to enhance leadership skills, critical thinking capabilities, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities to improve mission readiness. (Image by Nadya_Art, Shutterstock)
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TRAINING FOR ACQUISITION SUCCESS
by Rebecca Wright
The Warfighting Acquisition University is proud to offer two new cross-functional training (CFT) courses for acquisition professionals: CFT-4010 and CFT-4200. Both courses, offered in-person at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, are designed to foster cross-functional environments and build networks with fellow acquisition professionals.
CFT-4010, Program Manager’s Cross-Functional Training, is a collaborative-learning course designed to enhance leadership capabilities, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills. While many acquisition courses already focus on these areas, CFT-4010 goes a step further by emphasizing high-participation and group-focused learning. The seven-week course includes peer discussions, immersive simulations, exploring how program managers and cross-functional experts make decisions in acquisition scenarios and focus on real-world dilemmas that can better assist participants in understanding challenges in the acquisition environment. Additionally, participants gain the opportunity to build a network of fellow senior acquisition professionals and program managers while earning up to 280 continuous learning points (CLPs). While the window for enrollment has closed for the first iteration of this course, interested applicants should monitor the Warfighting Acquisition University website for the next opportunity.
CFT-4200, Advanced Acquisition Strategies – Cross-Functional Teaming for Acquisition Success, is curated for senior acquisition professionals from all functional areas. The five-day course, worth 40 CLPs, focuses on collaborating with other senior professionals, learning cross-functional strategies to speed up acquisition processes and results by creating a culture of shared communication and information. Interested applicants can learn more during the online Open House on Jan. 26, 2026, on the Warfighting Acquisition University’s website. Applications for enrollment are due on Jan. 30, 2026.
CFT is a foundation in acquisition professional development, not only by fostering a collaborative environment, but also by offering acquisition professionals various opportunities to share expertise, enhance problem-solving skills, improve program delivery and mission readiness, build adaptable leaders and ultimately deliver faster capabilities to Soldiers.
For more information, go to www.dau.edu.
REBECCA WRIGHT is a writer and editor at the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s Director of Acquisition Career Management Office at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Before USAASC, she served as an explosive ordnance disposal technical writer at NSWC Indian Head. She has more than 15 years of experience writing and editing for the DOD and the U.S. Department of Justice.
