SEA, Arke unveil new procurement approach
SEA and Arke have developed a new procurement approach designed to help military decision-makers define and deliver projects at reduced risk, SEA announced on 24 July.
The rapid advance in future soldier technology, from exoskeletons to weapons, helmets, torso protection and night vision systems, is placing additional pressure on choosing the right procurement route.
In order to ensure decision makers can effectively assess whether the technology they are being offered is what is needed, provides value for money and can be delivered successfully within budget, SEA and Arke have devised a method of 'achievability' analysis which helps to establish exploitation barriers and therefore reduce programme delivery risk.
The approach integrates architectural, cost and benefits analyses with an assessment of achievability. In turn, this enables the early identification of issues relating to dependencies, constraints, cultural problems, industrial behaviour and capability management.
The approach links battlefield missions to use cases in both training and operational activities. These activities can then be examined from a strategic, economic, financial, commercial and management perspective to determine the investment case. The outcome is an effective achievability assessment based on comprehensive modelling and simulation to deliver robust and grounded evidence to support decision makers.
SEA principal consultant Darren Stinchcombe, said: 'The approach provides an agenda for programme risk reduction, allows realistic planning for capability exploitation and can be used to support the agile acquisition of capability. The approach is aligned to HM Treasury’s ‘5 Case’ approach, enabling project teams to develop business cases that can withstand robust scrutiny.
'Using this assessment of achievability model identifies and manages ‘real’ programme risk from the outset, provides insights to ensure budgets are invested in deliverable capability, and helps to deliver optimised capability for least cost.'
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.