Fiscal Year 2003 Survey of Acquisition Project Managers Army Strategic Software Improvement Program (ASSIP) AAG Meeting Nov. 5, 2003 Mark Kasunic Software Engineering Measurement and Analysis [SEMA] Software Engineering Institute mkasunic@sei.cmu.edu

Purposes of Survey There were two primary purposes for this data-collection effort. Provide preliminary insight into the major acquisition-related problem areas (as perceived by Army PMs) so that improvement opportunities can be prioritized 1 Assist development of future data collection activities by shedding light on the problem space, thereby allowing more detailed data-gathering in identified focus areas 2

Two Most Difficult Problems Facing Acquisition Managers - 1 Requirements Management 63 Project Management 22 Contractor processes 22 Unstable Funding 21 Required Skills 16 Interoperability 12 Response Categories Integration 9 Testing 8 Mandates 8 Technology Change 6 Policy 4 Other 8 No Response 18 N/A 8 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 225 Responses Frequency

Finding the Root Causes of Symptoms It’s important to distinguish causes from the symptoms. We shouldn’t assume we know the solution for a symptom. We need to understand the root causes … and focus corrective actions there! RM Root Causes People People Process Process Lack easy-to-use RM tools Lack of appropriate training RM process undocumented Technology Technology External factors External factors Lack of policy guidance