Investigating the Role of System Effectiveness in the Acquisition and Sustainment of U.S. Defense Systems: 1958 to 2022

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an investigation into system effectiveness’s role in acquiring and sustaining U.S. weapons systems from 1958 to 2022. An understanding is vital because the acquisition system has recently undergone a significant change. In the 64 year period covered by this study there have been many changes to the Department of Defense acquisition and sustainment processes. The investigation used three qualitative methods: a structured literature review, a grounded theory analysis of the structured literature review, and a historiography of the initial grounded theory results. The research identified five epochs, the first two lasting approximately 22 years each. The last epoch is still in its early period. Each epoch corresponds to a change in the acquisition process. There are four conclusions. First, system effectiveness does not serve its original intent and purpose. Second, analysis of source documents provides insight into why system effectiveness plays a diminished role. Third, the original approach to system effectiveness may have relevance for today’s problems and challenges. Finally, an integrated research methodology is valuable for making sense of conflicting information spread over time.