ACQ 4XX Contemporary Acquisition Issues Course (Acquisition Capstone Course) Status Update & Heading Check

Existing Executive DAU Courses ACQ 403 – Defense Acquisition Executive Overview Workshop (Tailored to Needs)- GOs/Flags/SESs ACQ 404 – Systems Acquisition Management Course – 5 days - GOs/Flags/SESs ACQ 405 – Executive Refresher Course – 8 days (O6/GS 15 PMC Graduates-14 or 20 weeks course) PMT 401 – Program Manager’s Course - 10 weeks (Mostly PM career field - on the road to PM positions; Balance - Senior Functional Managers from other career fields) – Critical Thinking – Statutory Requirement - O5/GS14 PMT 402 – Executive Program Management Course - 4 weeks (PM/PEO) – Selected Major Program Managers (ACAT I/II) – Statutory Requirement-O6/GS15 PMT 403 – PM Skills Workshop - 2 weeks (PM – ACAT II/III) O5/GS14

Background Functional Advisors want 400 level courses Decision to combine into one –Emphasize cross functional program integration approach Mid summer 2004 briefed course concept prior to field survey Conducted field surveys during Oct/Nov 2004 –Team included Joni Forman, Jesse Stewart and Bill McGovern

Background Surveys Conducted –DAU Regional Sites Huntsville Ft. Monmouth PAX WPAFB –Over 100 Level III Certified functionals Each with over 10 years of acquisition experience Background material -- Primary & Secondary Career field Certifications (data TBP) –2 Questions Answered -- What would entice you? What’s bugging you? –1000+ comments made and prioritized Data Analyzed and Interpreted

Major Take-Aways Believe there are gaps in their training beyond level III certification and training of senior acquisition people –Ton of data (almost) Gaps consistently identified (but not inclusive) –Leadership –People skills –Best Practices/Lessons Learned –Implementation of acquisition policies –Cross functional training –Understanding Industry –Leadership Issues (face to face with leaders) –Program metrics –Understanding relationships with stakeholders Length of Course –Not more than 3 days at a time Other identified Issues –Career management – number of issues

ACQ 4XX – Contemporary Acquisition Issues Course Eligible Audience: Level III DAWIA Certified (All Career fields) and in management/ leadership position Industry counterparts Performance Objective: Improve mid-level managers’ understanding of leadership, program life cycle integration and external influences necessary for success acquisition management. Frameworks: 3 Modules (Stand alone but related themes) – Leadership & Strategic Thinking – Program Life Cycle Integration – External Influences 2-3 days per module Portable (Initially at Ft. Belvoir; Potential for Regional Delivery) Satisfying Customer Needs

Way Ahead President, DAU approval of concept Upon approval –Brief concept to SAEs, DACMs, FAs, PEOs –Identify Curriculum Development Team CDSC, SPM, Regional participation –Develop Modules Modules developed as an integrated course –Pilot Course 4Qtr FY05

BACK UP CHARTS

Senior Functional Managers Assessment In your position as a Level 3 Certified Acquisition Workforce Manager, what major issues and/or skill areas are you dealing with today or in the near future that you feel additional training is needed or required?

Senior Functional Managers Assessment If a post level 3 course were developed by DAU for the acquisition workforce, what key topics, skills, and structure might entice you to attend?

ACQ 4XX – Contemporary Acquisition Issues Course Structure: 2-3 Days per module - Resident Potential Pre-course Work (Readings) 24 Students Max / 18 Minimum Portable (Initially at Ft. Belvoir; Potential for Some Regional Delivery) Possible Construct: Focus Groups Mini Workshops / Simulations Caselettes –Problem Solving –Strategic Planning –Leadership

DoD AT&L Workforce by Career Field and Component

USD(AT&L) Goals 1.Acquisition Excellence with Integrity 2.Logistics: Integrated and Efficient 3.Systems Integration & Engineering for Mission Success 4.Technology Dominance 5.Resources Rationalized 6.Industrial Base Strengthened 7.Motivated, Agile Workforce

DoD AT&L Workforce Over 37,000 Certified Level 3 as of ,000 Certified as of ,000 Certified since 1999 Workforce desire cross functional to fill gap of downsizing workforce Management wants more generalists rather than single scope workforce

People Data Primary & Secondary Certifications Years of experience

Leadership & Strategic Thinking Background: Mid-level (critical acquisition positions) managers receive functional training but not the management and leadership training necessary to improve performance in their acquisition positions. Performance Objective: Improve mid-level managers’ leadership/mentoring/management skills needed for successful acquisition management.

Program Life Cycle Integration Background: DAWIA formalized the certification process for acquisition professionals by functional career field. Although this creates better certified professionals in their career fields, neither their training nor experience encouraged multidisciplinary thinking that is needed for life cycle integration of acquisition programs. Performance Objective: Broaden mid-level managers’ (critical acquisition positions) perspective to enable them to work more effectively in a life cycle integration environment.

External Influences Background: Acquisition programs are affected by a number of external influences not within the program offices’ sphere of control. It is essential that PMOs are aware of those external influences and mechanisms to work with them for program success. Performance Objective: Improve mid-level managers’ (critical acquisition positions) knowledge and awareness of external influences and the mechanisms with which to work with them for program success.

Cross Cutting Themes Emerging Policies & Topics Best Practices & Tools Leadership Industry Integration Program Success Metrics Ethics (Not standards of conduct)

Career Field Build Depth Internships; Cooperative Education; Scholarships; Tuition Reimbursement; Training;Acquisition Fellowship Program; Exchange and Rotational Programs Build Breadth Key Leadership People Positions Acquisition Workforce +/- 134,000 People Entry Level Critical Acquisition Positions (21,000) Acquisition Corps KLPs (1,500) Notional Grade/Rank SES/GO/Flag GS-15/O-6 GS-14/O-5 GS-13/O-4 GS-9-12/O-3 GS-5-7/O-1-2 Level I & Level II Level II & Level III Level III Certification Focused Career Development

AT&L Performance Learning Model – 24/7 Learning Assets for the Classroom and the Workplace Training Courses - DAWIA certification, assignment-specific, and executive & international courses – in the classroom and on-line And Most Important… Closely Linked to Achieving Senior Leadership Goals Consulting – we come to your workplace to assist you RDT – on-site & on-line training on latest AT&L policies Targeted Training – tailored learning for your organization CL Modules – on-line modules to help you earn continuous learning points PEO SYSCOM / Business Manager / DAU Alumni Association AKSS – on-line gateway to AT&L information & tools ACC – on-line collaboration communities tailored to your needs Keeping you connected to research tools when you are not on campus