Craig Fink
July 21st 03, 11:17 PM
rk wrote:
> A friend sent me this reference. These groups often talk about reducing
> costs. Here's some insight from 20 years ago. Warning - not your
> typical journal article as Jimmy Durante is quoted in it. Good stuff
> and an enjoyable read.
>
> -- rk
>
>
> COST REDUCTION POTENTIAL IN SPACE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
>
> ADELBERT O. TISCHLER, Bethesda, MD
> Acta Astranautica Vol. II, No. 12, pp. 741-744, 1984
>
> Abstract
> --------
>
> The barrier to low cost space programs has been identified, and we are
> it. Principal among the causes for escalation of space program costs is
> the 'system' which has evolved to control programs. The 'system'
> includes not only the procedures and documents that constitute the flow
> of paper, the reviews and approvals necessary to initiate actions, and
> the entire methodology of the decision-making and approval processes
> but, necessarily, the people, including political as well as industrial
> counterparts, who populate these environments. This complex 'system' has
> proliferated so that it now promotes time-taking routines, obstructs
> prompt action, inhibits decisions, extends schedules and escalates
> costs. Designed to aid and abet management by supplying information
> necessary to maintain cognizance of program status the 'system' has
> taken over the role of management. Problems and their solutions must now
> be addressed to the 'system' as aided and abetted by management.
>
> Most of the evident causes of program cost problems have long since been
> recognized. Attacking them will produce second-order effects until
> management is willing to face up to the internal cost driver.
>
So true!! It's only gotten worst in the last 20 years. And not only costs,
but safety too.
Craig Fink
> A friend sent me this reference. These groups often talk about reducing
> costs. Here's some insight from 20 years ago. Warning - not your
> typical journal article as Jimmy Durante is quoted in it. Good stuff
> and an enjoyable read.
>
> -- rk
>
>
> COST REDUCTION POTENTIAL IN SPACE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
>
> ADELBERT O. TISCHLER, Bethesda, MD
> Acta Astranautica Vol. II, No. 12, pp. 741-744, 1984
>
> Abstract
> --------
>
> The barrier to low cost space programs has been identified, and we are
> it. Principal among the causes for escalation of space program costs is
> the 'system' which has evolved to control programs. The 'system'
> includes not only the procedures and documents that constitute the flow
> of paper, the reviews and approvals necessary to initiate actions, and
> the entire methodology of the decision-making and approval processes
> but, necessarily, the people, including political as well as industrial
> counterparts, who populate these environments. This complex 'system' has
> proliferated so that it now promotes time-taking routines, obstructs
> prompt action, inhibits decisions, extends schedules and escalates
> costs. Designed to aid and abet management by supplying information
> necessary to maintain cognizance of program status the 'system' has
> taken over the role of management. Problems and their solutions must now
> be addressed to the 'system' as aided and abetted by management.
>
> Most of the evident causes of program cost problems have long since been
> recognized. Attacking them will produce second-order effects until
> management is willing to face up to the internal cost driver.
>
So true!! It's only gotten worst in the last 20 years. And not only costs,
but safety too.
Craig Fink