COST REDUCTION POTENTIAL IN SPACE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

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