What are the top 10 reasons why the FIA Program failedSoluti

What are the top 10 reasons why the FIA Program failed?

Solution

1. Unrealistic tight budget; implementation under a cost cap

2. Fast, unrealistic schedule

3. Ambitious technology; pushing the state-of-the-art without significant R&D investment

4. Lack of government (NRO) oversight; contractor was asked to police itself

5. Complex design leading to infeasible manufacturing

6. Design changes based on added requirements from Washington; additional system functions required post 9/11.

7. Lack of engineering standards between the prime and the suppliers (tin example)

8. Lack of realistic cost estimates

9. Inexperienced contractor (ethics of bidding)

10. Use of COTS parts; cutbacks on testing

Other discussion points to make:

-Paradigm of faster-better-cheaper; did not work; joke-pick any 2

-Use of review panels for expert/independent opinion

-2 independent cost estimates after the fact

-“Aim for only one miracle per program\"