Study on Improving Defense Acquisition through the Application of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Concept to Defense Industry Workforce

摘要

The Department of Defense (DoD) believes that acquisition workforce is the most important asset to assure longlasting reform of the defense acquisition system, and to optimize the expenditure of ever-decreasing acquisition resources. The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) is the basis of defense acquisition workforce policy. As a part of the FY 1991 National Defense Authorization Act, the DAWIA requires the DoD to establish and manage career development through establishment of education and training standards, requirements, and courses for the DoD civilian and military acquisition workforce. Defense acquisition leadership in general recognizes that cross-organizational collaboration and disciplined communication are pivotal to successful program acquisition. However, they have not yet completely grasped the control and management of defense industry establishments and activities. The DoD and defense industry are yet to recognize how much they know and don't know each other. This thesis evaluates the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) principle, investigates the adaptation of DAWIA concept to defense industry establishment, and provides recommendations to the defense acquisition community.