Advanced Tactical Fighter Early, Structured, and Continuous User-InterfaceProcess: A System Program Office/User Team-Building Concept

摘要

The objective of this study was to develop an acquisition management tool thatwould improve the working relationship between the System Program Office (SPO) and the User during the Demonstration and Validation phase. It accomplished this by documented the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) Early, Structured, and Continuous (ESC) user-interface process in a draft handbook. This handbook was also developed to support a continuing Command-wide effort to improve the acquisition process. The study found that the ATF ESC process was also developed in response to senior Air Force management guidance, lessons learned, and ATF SPO management direction. The ATF ESC process was easily incorporated into the SPO's acquisition strategy, and it did not affect the current Tactical Air Force requirements process and the player's roles and responsibilities. It has also been in operation for four years, but was not documented. The study recommended that the handbook be formalized and provided to other SPOs as a management tool for establishing an effective SPO-User relationship.