Defense Systems Acquisition Management Course

The Defense Systems Acquisition Management course meets the needs of defense industry acquisition managers in today’s dynamic environment, providing the latest information related to:

• Defense acquisition policy for weapons and information technology systems including
   discussion of the DoD 5000 series (directive, instruction, and guidebook).

• Defense acquisition, reform, and initiatives.

• Defense acquisition procedures and processes.

• The Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process; and the Congressional
   budget process.

• The relationship between capabilities needs determination, resource allocation, science
   and technology activities, and acquisition programs.

Taught by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), the course uses the same acquisition policy information provided to DoD students who attend DAU courses for formal acquisition certification.

Course of Instruction

Management in the acquisition Environment

The first block of instruction will identify the major participants in the DoD acquisition process and their roles.  It will cover such areas as the responsibilities and perspectives of the major players – the program management processes (Defense Acquisition Board review system and the Programming, Budgeting, and Execution process) – to review and control acquisition at the DoD level.

Acquisition Life Cycle Process

This block will focus on the objectives, responsibilities, activities, interrelationships, and concerns of each phase of the weapon system acquisition life cycle.  This includes research and development, program initiation, and the transition from development to production.  Instruction will cover the DoD 5000 series (directive, instruction, and guidebook).

Challenges to Program Management

This block covers several diverse subjects that are critical to success of the DoD program manager.  A highlight of this section is a case study based upon a real-world acquisition program.

Application of Acquisition Procedures

This portion of instruction covers the specific application of the acquisition procedures by the military services and the management issues currently facing the DoD program manager.  The course will end with a detailed case study where participants develop an acquisition strategy to carry an acquisition program through its entire life cycle.