1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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