A model for understanding and managing cost growth on joint programs
Abstract
Although joint programs are typically established to save the government money, recent studies suggest that instead of reducing program cost, jointness may actually induce cost growth. Motivated by three case studies that explored the cost of acquiring systems jointly, this paper presents a model that explains why joint programs often experience large cost growth and how jointness itself may induce it. Specifically, our proposed Agency Action Model suggests that on joint programs, the collaborating agencies' institutional interest in retaining or regaining their autonomy induces cost growth. After explaining the basic components of the model, we demonstrate its ability to explain the cost growth observed in our case studies. Finally, we use the model and our case study data to generate recommendations for managing joint programs in the future.
- Publication:
-
Acta Astronautica
- Pub Date:
- November 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.07.004
- Bibcode:
- 2018AcAau.152...59D
- Keywords:
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- Jointness;
- System acquisition;
- Cost growth