9:00 – 11:00 Applying Lean Six Sigma to Defense Acquisition

Learn how to optimize your acquisition process through Lean Six Sigma!

There is a strategic need to streamline acquisition processes, yet identifying what tools are most effective and how to implement them in a sustainable manner is a continuing struggle. Those responsible for implementation often have limited resources or little expertise with process improvement, yet still have the requirement for quick and lasting success. This highly-rated workshop is designed to identify those tools and metrics which will provide most benefit regardless of the situation.

What you will learn:

• Identify the sources of waste
• Conduct a Value Stream Analysis
• Tie Implementation to the Strategic Objectives of the Enterprise

How you will benefit:

• Lead process improvement efforts regardless of resources
• Familiarize yourself with Best Practice methods and tools to map your processes
• Apply Lean concepts to identify and eliminate process waste

F. Lee Campbell IV
Strategic Planning Officer, CPI Deployment Director
Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region, US Army Military District of Washington

11:00 – 1:00 Interoperability in Systems of Systems — an Acquisition Perspective

Merging interoperability requirements with your acquisition process!

Lunch will be served

Increasing demands for interoperability — as exemplified by systems of systems, service-oriented architectures, and net-centric warfare — pose new challenges for DoD acquisition programs. This workshop will explore some of the root causes behind these challenges, and examine their impacts on DoD acquisition programs. Key principles of — and selected practices for — effective system-of-systems governance and acquisition will be introduced, and participants will be provided guidance on how to apply them in their organizations.

How you will benefit:

• Explore root causes behind the need for interoperability within your acquisition process
• Hear real life impacts for the DoD
• Discover guidance in applying principles of governance and acquisition

What you will learn:

• Interoperability demands within systems of systems, service-oriented architecture, and net-centric warfare
• Challenges that the DoD is having in their acquisition programs
• The principles of effective system-of-system governance

Session Leader:

Jim Smith
Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University

1:00 – 3:00 The Pursuit of Acquisition Excellence and Innovation within the General Services Administration

GSA’s most cost-effective management practices!

Increasing demands for interoperability — as exemplified by systems of systems, service-oriented architectures, and net-centric warfare — pose new challenges for DoD acquisition programs. This workshop will explore some of the root causes behind these challenges, and examine their impacts on DoD acquisition programs. Key principles of — and selected practices for — effective system-of-systems governance and acquisition will be introduced, and participants will be provided guidance on how to apply them in their organizations.

How you will benefit:

• Explore root causes behind the need for interoperability within your acquisition process
• Hear real life impacts for the DoD
• Discover guidance in applying principles of governance and acquisition

What you will learn:

• Interoperability demands within systems of systems, service-oriented architecture, and net-centric warfare
• Challenges that the DoD is having in their acquisition programs
• The principles of effective system-of-system governance

Session Leader:

Les Yamagata
Senior Acquisition Policy Advisory, CFCM, CPCM,
Fellow Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)
U.S. General Services Administration

3:00 – 5:00 Prioritizing DoD System Acquisitions and Balancing with Available Resources

The GAO perspective on balancing your resources with your acquisition needs!

Since fiscal year 2000, the DoD has significantly increased the number of major defense acquisition programs and its overall investment in them. However, acquisition outcomes have not improved. Over the next five years, DoD expects to invest $357 billion on the development and procurement of major defense acquisition programs and billions more on their operation and maintenance. It’s critical that these programs deliver capabilities when promised and not force warfighters to spend additional funds on maintaining legacy systems. This session will describe the systemic problems that have contributed to poor cost and schedule outcomes in DoD's acquisition of major weapon systems; recent actions DoD has taken to address these problems; and steps needed to improve the future performance.

How you will benefit:

• Hear GAO discuss DoD’s acquisition, requirements, and funding processes from their perspective
• Gain insights into where funds will be invested over next 5 years
• Learn how to stay accountable and mitigate risk

What you will learn:

• Project management strategies tied with performance standards
• How to better manage acquisition processes with tighter budget limits
• How future performance will be effected

Session Leader:

Michael Sullivan
Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)