Systems Decision Process - A Systematic Approach to Support Decisions on Defense Acquisitions in the Development of Complex Weapon Systems

Abstract

Capability development is a complex process involving interactions between industrial suppliers of goods andservices with multiple government agencies often trying to balance competing objectives. The big dilemma is:how do governments acquire equipment, goods and services needed for their armed forces at a reasonable price,appropriate quality, and with a reasonable time frame? In this context, the development of new weapons systemsis a challenging process, which entails increasingly long development periods, the use of cutting-edgetechnologies in an environment of high uncertainty, requiring, for that reason, a decision-making supportprocess that adjusts to these specific requirements. Nowadays, decision-making is based on models used incertain decision-making instances, not considering the nature of the development programs above. Using asystems decision process (SDP) would allow a systemic and iterative, collaborative process and a value-baseddecision process that could be applied throughout the whole life cycle of this new weapons system.