An analysis of program managers as Total Life Cycle Systems Managers

Total Life Cycle Systems Management (TLCSM) is a term used in Army Regulation (AR) 70-1 to describe the responsibility of the Army Program Manager (PM). In this acquisition policy, the PM is made responsible for his/her assigned programs from initiation to disposal with no responsibility transitioning away from the PM. However, other Army guidance challenges AR 70-1 when transitioning to the Operations and Support phase of the acquisition life cycle. Furthermore, since the creation of the Life Cycle Management Commands (LCMC), obstacles have arisen as to whether the PM or LCMC is better equipped to manage program sustainment. An evaluation of the roles and responsibilities of the PMs in acquisition sustainment transition was conducted to better assess their authority to carry out TLCSM. This thesis examined sustainment requirements and identified constraints and barriers to the transition process. It also addressed the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives to having the PM act as TLCSM. Additionally, the flow of fiscal resources was analyzed to identify misalignments and limitations. Lastly, the authors concluded with four recommendations: issue a policy to elaborate PM/LCMC duties, give full funding responsibilities to the PM, identify the LCMC by Milestone B and remove the $250K threshold for investment purchases.

Grantor dc:publisher

Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Authors dc:creator

• Baker, Darren E.
• Sfakianoudis, George
• William, John H., II

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Naegle, Brad
• Pickar, Charles K.

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10945/56187

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/56187