Acquisition Lead Time: Bottlenecks That Threaten Government Effectiveness

Until agencies speed up the process of fielding information technology products and services, they will be forced to continue relying on obsolete systems to carry out critical mission requirements. By implementing policies and procedures that reduce acquisition lead times, new agency leaders can save time, money, and—potentially—lives. That’s why aggressive streamlining of acquisition lead time is a strategic imperative for all federal agencies.

Note: Transition of power after a Presidential election is complicated; preparing the federal government for a seamless shift to a new administration is crucial to continuing important work on behalf of the American people. MITRE will inform this transition by sharing our insights and experiences with those involved in transition planning and with leaders in the next administration. Our recommendations derive from the ongoing, practical guidance we provide our federal agency sponsors as they face critical national challenges.

This paper is part of a collection provided to our government sponsors; it supports MITRE’s focus on assisting new administration and career civil service leaders through the transition and beyond to achieve results that matter. To view all the papers in the collection, use the "Federal Transition" link in Topics, above.