Cybernetic Approach to Acquisition System Program Office Management: Preliminary Concepts and Procedures.

摘要

This thesis considered the application of management cybernetics principles of organization structure and tools of measurement and analysis espoused by Stafford Beer. In concert with the Theory of Constraints of Ellyahu Goldratt, to the USAF acquisition System Program Office (SPO). An extensive review of the literature was conducted, and the theories of cybernetics and constraints were summarized. In short, cybernetics identifies the necessary and sufficient structural conditions required of an organization to assure its viability and offers an alternative to current 'fire-fighting' management using computer analysis of critical measures of performance to provide accurate short-term forecasts. A preliminary cybernetic analysis of the SPO organization and measurement tools was conducted, using data from the DSCS SPO, initial recommendations for improvement were derived form SPO members, and impedances were considered. d Cybernetics appears to be a promising aid to program managers, providing insight into organizational structure and offering a means to truly anticipate, and therefore take action to avoid, problems. However, much additional research is required before specific beneficial procedures for the SPO can be recommended, and DOD policy changes are needed to facilitate the implementation. (kr)