ISSN 2156-8405

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The Defense Acquisition Research Journal (ARJ) is a scholarly peer-reviewed journal published by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). All submissions receive a blind review to ensure impartial evaluation. Articles represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the DAU or the Department of Defense.

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Can We Explain Cost Growth in Major Defense Acquisition Programs?
David L. McNicol

This article asks whether Department of Defense and defense industry acquisition practitioners possess an understanding of cost growth that explains the full range of cost growth observed in major defense acquisition programs, from the negative to the extremely large. It shows that the defense acquisition community at large lacks a good understanding of the causes of cost growth in programs with cost growth in the central part of the range, and it identifies some policy implications of this result.

APA Citation:
McNicol, D. (2022). Can we explain cost growth in major defense acquisition programs? Defense Acquisition Research Journal, 29(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.22594/dau.21-867.29.01

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Challenges of Adopting DevOps for the Combat Systems Development Environment
LT Andrew W. Miller, USN, Ronald E. Giachetti, and Douglas L. Van Bossuyt

The article describes a research project in which 11 subject matter experts in software development were interviewed to identify any challenges to the Navy’s adoption of DevOps. The results of the interviews were analyzed and categorized into obstacle types with descriptions of those obstacles so that the Navy can develop a plan on how to adopt DevOps.

APA Citation:
Miller, A., Giachetti, R., & Van Bossuyt, D. (2022). Challenges of adopting DevOps for combat systems development environment. Defense Acquisition Research Journal, 29(1), 22–48. https://doi.org/10.22594/dau.21-870.29.01

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Optimal Talent Management of the Acquisition Workforce in Response to COVID-19: Dynamic Programming Approach
Tom Ahn and Amilcar A. Menichini

The authors forecast the long-run retention behavior of the Defense Acquisition Workforce using a dynamic programming approach. Their findings posit that employees are hesitant to leave the DoD while the civilian economy is in flux; however, once recovery is well underway, acquisition workers rapidly exit, potentially leading to a deficit of experienced employees.

APA Citation:
Ahn, T. & Menichini, A. (2022). Optimal talent management of the acquisition workforce in response to COVID-19: Dynamic programming approach. Defense Acquisition Research Journal, 29(1), 50–77. https://doi.org/10.22594/dau.21-871.29.01

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Research Agenda 2021

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Professional Reading List

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Current Research Resources in Defense Acquisition

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Defense ARJ Guidelines for Contributors

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Defense ARJ Print Schedule

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