Importance of Systems Engineering in Early Acquisition

The US Department of Defense is facing severe problems in delivering new systems with proposed performance within cost and schedule projections. There are a number of initiatives to identify the sources of these problems and solution options. One area which has been given particular attention is the role of systems engineering in the early stages of an acquisition. A recent study by the National Academies on pre-milestone A systems engineering (AF Studies Board) provides findings concerning the role of early Systems Engineering (SE), findings which reflect the general understanding of the importance of good technical work early in an acquisition program. This study reviewed experience with implementation of early systems engineering in major Air Force programs and assessed the impact of failing to address technical issues early in the life of an acquisition program. Not surprisingly, the study found that the lack of early SE can be shown to have direct impact on the future performance of the programs. Programs that are not built upon strong Government Program Office technical knowledge are not likely to succeed. At the same time the Defense Department has been reviewing the current acquisition process. Changes to defense acquisition regulations have been proposed which put much more emphasis on the initial stages of an acquisition. Systems engineering guidance to support the new policy provides an opportunity to provide added emphasis on early systems engineering.