United States Air Force Technical Order Acquisition: What Are the Problems and How Can They be Corrected

摘要

The objective of this research was to identify problems with the acquisition of U.S. Air Force technical orders (TOs), and to identify changes to the TO acquisition process that could solve those problems. A telephone survey of A.F. policy makers, program managers, integrated logistics support managers, and technical order acquisition managers was accomplished. The low experience level of personnel assigned to TO acquisition jobs, and coordination and communication problems were found to be the most significant problems of the technical order acquisition process. Inadequate manning and the need for earlier planning for TO acquisition were also found to be problems. Five solutions to those problems were found to be valid and were recommended for implementation. They were the establishment of a centralized TO management agency, the establishment of TOs as a separate product, the development of 'skeleton' documents, the development of a handbook out-lining responsibilities, and the establishment of a TO acquisition management career field. The establishment of a centralized TO management agency was found to be the most needed solution. An implementation plan was presented for all recommended solutions.