Defense acquisition university and lockheed Martin corporation form strategic partnership - Brief Article

Program Manager, Nov-Dec, 2002

On Nov. 4,2002, Defense Acquisition University (DAU) President Frank Anderson Jr., and Dr. Malcolm N. O'Neil, Chief Technical Officer, Lockheed Martin (LM) Corporation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work closely with each other in the development of joint training curricula that would provide better tools, techniques, and materials to both Defense industry and government personnel.

The goal of this cooperative relationship is to improve program performance by enhancing knowledge, understanding, and transparency of the government and contractor roles in systems acquisition.

The opportunities for partnering include, but are not limited to, collaboration and coordination on numerous subjects including:

* Revisions to the aerospace arid defense addendum to the Project Management Body of Knowledge.

* Lean learning practices.

* PM Toolkits and the digital environment.

* Knowledge management communities of practice.

* Risk management tools, including Independent Nonad-vocate Reviews and Independent Cost Estimates.

* Transition phase (proposal to performance).

* Program failure analysis.

* Systems engineering.

* Subcontract management.

* Earned value management.

* Mutual development of case studies in program management.

This MOU contemplates a joint effort between DAU and LM that focuses on lessons learned (both government and industry), elements of success, and best practices.