Challenge

The Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) program office faced serious problems reaching consensus on warranty issues. These issues included

• Maintenance management over a 30-year period
• Warranty/lease calculations
• Asset readiness management including outsourcing options

As a joint program they had to gain consensus for any initiative from several different government constituencies, including the sponsors (Navy and Air Force), the program office, the prime contractor and in service engineering agents.

Assistance Required

Provide an analysis tools that framed these issues in a way that suggested solutions and provided a means to gain consensus.

Solution

CACI implemented a modeling activity that identified key issues and built models of the complex logistical processes. Through model development it was possible to get different, and sometimes conflicting organizations, to agree on the "As Is" model. As the team developed the "As Is" model several possibilities became apparent in the "To Be" model. Since System Dynamics provides a way to quantify issues it was possible to reach consensus on proposed logistical changes.

The modeling fostered senior level buy in. Literally, the flag level review boards used the model to assess the effects of proposed changes and then reviewed the logic encased in the model to understand counterintuitive results.

Results

The model led to significant changes in the maintenance program, including a change of the amount of depot maintenance required for the weapon. The modeling effort led to suggested changes that will save $150M during the program's lifetime. The Secretary of Defense decorated our personnel that performed the modeling.

For additional information contact Rick Dansey, 703-679-4286, rdansey@caci.com