Cost Analysis of Prototyping Major Weapons Systems

IDA performed a major study of acquisition for the Department of Defense, Effective Initiatives in Acquiring Major Systems. The study concerned the highly-publicized cost and schedule overruns that have plagued defense programs. Since the 1960s, the Defense Department and defense contractors have pioneered reviews and management initiatives to improve program outcomes. IDA reviewed program outcomes to determine whether there is a trend toward better outcomes overall, whether any specific management initiatives have improved outcomes, and what improvements could be made.