Chapter 1, Department of Defense Decision Support Systems, presents an overview of the Defense Department’s decision support systems for strategic planning and resource allocation, the determination of capability needs, and the acquisition of systems.
Chapter 2, Defense Acquisition Program Goals and Strategy, discusses acquisition program goals and the topics the program manager should consider in developing a strategy for the acquisition program. It addresses the required information associated with the Acquisition Program Baseline and the program’s Acquisition Strategy
Chapter 3, Affordability and Lifecycle Resource Estimates, addresses acquisition program affordability and resource estimation.
Chapter 4, Systems Engineering, covers the system design issues facing a program manager, and
details the systems engineering processes that aid the program manager in designing an
integrated system that results in a balanced capability solution.
Chapter 5, Lifecycle Logistics, provides the program manager with a description of Lifecycle
Logistics and its application throughout the system life cycle, from concept to disposal.
Chapter 6, Human Systems Integration, addresses the human systems elements of the systems
engineering process. It will help the program manager design and develop systems that
effectively and affordably integrate with human capabilities and limitations; and it makes the
program manager aware of the staff resources available to assist in this endeavor.
Chapter 7, Acquiring Information Technology and National Security Systems, explains how the
Department of Defense complies with statutory and regulatory requirements for acquiring IT and
NSS systems and is using a network-centric strategy to transform DoD warfighting, business,
and intelligence capabilities. The chapter also provides descriptions and explanations of the
Clinger-Cohen Act, the Business Management Modernization Program and many other associated topics and concepts, and discusses many of the activities that enable the development
of net-centric systems.
Chapter 8, Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and Security Support, describes program manager
responsibilities regarding research and technology protection to prevent inadvertent technology
transfer, and provides guidance for and describes the support available for protecting those
technologies.
Chapter 9, Integrated Test and Evaluation, discusses many of the topics associated with test and
evaluation, to include oversight, Developmental Test and Evaluation, Operational Test and
Evaluation, and Live Fire Test and Evaluation. The chapter enables the program manager to
develop a robust, integrated test and evaluation strategy to assess operational effectiveness and
suitability, and to support program decisions.
Chapter 10, Decisions, Assessments, and Periodic Reporting, prepares the program manager and
Milestone Decision Authority to execute their respective oversight responsibilities.
Chapter 11, Program Management Activities, explains the additional activities and decisions
required of the program manager, not otherwise discussed in earlier chapters of this Guidebook.