The US Army issued their Product Support Manager (PSM) implementation guidance, on November 5, 2010.  This Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) memorandum entitled "Product Support Manager (PSM) Implementation" implements Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 10-015, Requirements for Life Cycle Management and Product Support (updated in Change 1 dated 29 Apr 11).

In their memo, the ASA(ALT) clearly lays out expectations and importance of the PSM position saying, "the establishment of the PSM highlights the important role logistics play in the acquisition process. The PSM will provide our program mangers the expertise necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive, outcome-based product support strategy. The position will be filled by our best, most qualified and motivated Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified and experienced Life Cycle Logistician, and will report directly to the Program Manager." The guidance provides flexibility in implementation, however, as the memo goes on to say that " I am providing you great latitude to determine how best to implement the intent of this directive within your organization.”

We understand from our colleagues on the ASA(ALT) staff that further detailed implementation guidance and information on Product Support Manager implementation, as well as emerging topics such as Logistics Assessments (LA) and the new 12 Integrated Product Support (IPS) Elements outlined in Appendix A of the new DoD Product Support Manager Guidebook most likely will be more specifically addressed in the next revisions of AR 700-127, Integrated Logistics Support and DA Pam 700-56, Logistics Supportability Planning and Procedures in Army Acquisition. Current versions of both documents are available on the Army Publication Directorate website.

Additional information related to the new DoD Product Support Manager (PSM) is also available on the PSM website on the DAU Logsitics Community of Practice (LOG CoP).