As follow-on to the efforts of the Defense Science Board Task Force
on the Transition from Development to Production which culminated in Department
of Defense Directive 4245.7, this manual attempts to enhance the enlightenment
of both government and industry by identifying specific practices
in current use and their potentially adverse consequences in terms of
cost, schedule, performance, and readiness. It then describes proven
best practices which avoid or alleviate these consequences, and provides
enough background information to understand their rationale. Enlightenment
follows better understanding. I would expect that all three
Services recognize the substance and value of these practices and subscribe to
their use. New and improved practices are continually being found which
further reduce the technical risk associated with military weapon system
acquisition programs. I urge users, government and industry alike, to
bring forward any developments which ought to be acknowledged in future
revisions.
Willis J. Willoughby, Jr.
Chairman Defense Science Board Task Force,
Transition from Development to Production
