Running head: SUPPORTABILITY S.A. TODAY Supportability and Supportability Analysis, What are they and why do we need them into today's world of Acquisition Reform

摘要

In today's world the concepts and execution of a Supportability program should be the key integration tool for an all encompassing Systems Engineering approach to influencing the design and define the resource requirements in a balanced performance based goal oriented method. Many companies and programs, however, still see Supportability as just LSA by a new name. Unfortunately, most of them never truly understood that the primary purpose of LSA is to influence the design for Supportability, in the first place. That concept seemed to escape most programs, and instead they concentrated on producing reams of paper, filled for the most part with useless or at least old data. Why does this happen? Because the design team was off and running, long before those of us in logistics were brought into the program. Therefore, the logisticians were always playing catch-up to the designers. Supportability, and it's role within the Systems Engineering process, is the key ingredient to a truly integrated performance based program. It shouldn't matter if the program is the development of a major weapons system or simply introducing a new widget for the general public's consumption. Supportability can provide the framework to meet the program's goals and objectives in a timely and cost effective manner. Allowing the company to bring the product to market faster, cheaper, and with a solid foundation for long-term product support where appropriate.