This blog post is the sixth in a continuing series of LOG Blogs designed to introduce defense acquisition workforce members to our new https://www.dau.edu website. Previous posts in this series since the new website went live last week include:

• Handy Quick Reference List of Key Logistics and Product Support Resources
• New Website, New Capabilities
• Exploring the New DAU Website
• New Performance Based Logistics Community of Practice (PBL CoP) Has Deployed
• LOG Blog Migration is Complete

In conjunction with the launch of the new https://www.dau.edu website last week, a completely revamped version of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) simultaneously deployed.

The new version of the DAG contains just ten chapters, resulting in a renumbering from the familiar chapter numbers associated with earlier editions. They are:

• Foreword provides an overview of the new DAG, which is designed to complement those policy documents by providing the acquisition workforce with discretionary best practice that should be tailored to the needs of each program. The Guidebook is not a rule book or a checklist and does not require specific compliance with the business practice it describes. It is intended to inform thoughtful program planning and facilitate effective program management.
• Chapter 1, Program Management provides the principal concepts and business practice needed to thoughtfully organize, plan, and execute a DoD acquisition program regardless of acquisition category, program model, or program type.
• Chapter 2, Analysis of Alternatives, Cost Estimating and Reporting, addresses resource estimation and program life-cycle costs, as well as the processes for conducting Analysis of Alternatives.
• Chapter 3, Systems Engineering, describes standard systems engineering processes and how they apply to the DoD acquisition system.
• Chapter 4, Life-Cycle Sustainment, provides guidance for program managers and program support managers to develop and execute successful sustainment strategies.
• Chapter 5, Manpower Planning and Human Systems Integration explains the total-systems approach to HSI, including documenting manpower, personnel and training elements, and the use of program manager tools that appropriately incorporate HSI considerations into the acquisition process.
• Chapter 6, Acquiring Information Technology and Business Systems, describes policy and procedure applicable to the development of DoD Information Technology (IT).
• Chapter 7, Intelligence Support to Acquisition, provides information to enable the program manager to use intelligence information and data to ensure maximum war-fighting capability at minimum risk to cost and schedule.
• Chapter 8, Test and Evaluation, supplements direction and instruction in DoD Directive 5000.01 and DoD Instruction 5000.02 with processes and procedures for planning and executing an effective and affordable T&E program.
• Chapter 9, Program Protection, explains the actions needed to ensure effective program protection planning throughout the acquisition life cycle.
• Chapter 10, Acquisition of Services, describes the principles of successful services acquisition based on the Seven Steps to the Service Acquisition Process included in DoD Instruction 5000.74, Defense Acquisition of Services.

A few things to be aware of related specifically to the new Chapter 4:

• The old Life Cycle Logistics Chapter 5 in the previous version has been completely rewritten and re-designated as Chapter 4 Life Cycle Sustainment.
• The purpose of the new DAG Chapter 4 is to “provide guidance for Program Managers (PMs) and Program Support Managers (PSMs) to develop and execute successful sustainment strategies, and to document those strategies in a Life Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP) that aids program management, communication, and collaboration with critical stakeholders.”
• Focus is on key product support planning and execution requirements, considerations, activities, documentation throughout the system life cycle
• Complements other key DAG chapters including, but not limited to Chapter 1, Program Management, Chapter 3, Systems Engineering,  and Chapter 10, Acquisition of Services, (the latter supersedes the old Services Acquisition Guidebook)
• The new organizational construct is simple, yet rich in detail:
• CH 4–1. Purpose
• CH 4–2. Background
• CH 4–3. Business Practice
• CH 4–4. Additional Planning Considerations
• CH 4–Version and Revision History

New features and functionality of the web version of the new DAG (and other guidebooks) include:

• Multi-device/mobile-friendly functionality (cell phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, etc.)
• Easy navigation, including embedded hyperlinks and table of contents
• Ability to toggle between Day and Night modes
• Affords users the ability to download both PDF or eBook versions
• Provides users with the ability (when logged in) to customize personal bookmarks and notes
• Also provides both a “Find in Document” search (at the top right side of screen) and ability to conduct “Find” word search with “Previous” and “Next” functionality (Control-F)

Encourage you to check our the new DAG and explore the content this excellent new resource offers defense acquisition professionals.