'So, You Want to Build Widgets For DoD'

The Problem. . . Every year the Department of Defense puts out thousands of requests for proposal (RFP), and every year it receives double and double again that number of responses from contractors wishing to do business with DoD.

In recent years, as technology has advanced, weapon systems have become more complex and the materials needed to build them have become more exotic. At the same time the number of proposals received by DoD agencies that show inadequacies in producibility has risen.

Too many proposals don't provide a satisfactory answer to the producibility question: 'Does the company have the capability and commitment to design and manufacture the product so it can be made in quantity with a high degree of quality, reliability, and maintainability in the finished item?'

In some instances, the flaws in the proposals have not been recognized by either the firm involved or the procuring DoD activity until well after contract award or until development or sometimes production is under way.

All parties involved are hurt when this occurs; credibility suffers, schedules slip, resources are wasted, costs grow, and nobody is happy.

The Solution is Producibility Measurement... It is clear that a lot of firms bidding for contracts and many DoD activities engaged in evaluating proposals don't understand how to approach producibility measurement. It has also been noted that a lot of firms holding contracts and many DoD program offices responsible for overseeing production contracts are similarly handicapped.

This book should help everyone involved in the measurement of producibility.

Who should read this book?

CEOs, industry and DoD program managers, red team leaders, design and manufacturing engineers, marketing representatives, DoD proposal evaluators, whatever. If you have a vested interest in a proposal or contract, or if you're involved in preparing, evaluating, or administrating a proposal or contract, there is something in this book for you.

To save you time, the book has two parts - 'A' and 'B'. Part 'A' is for those of you concerned with the question: 'What do we need to do to ensure we address producibility right?' Part 'B' is for those of you who are concerned with 'How do we measure producibility?'

A
The distinction is very simple; Part 'A' is for decision makers and managers.

Part 'A' addresses the importance to both the company and DoD of producibility measurement. It suggests who needs to be involved in the process both in the company and in DoD to assure as much as possible that a company gives DoD an accurate portrayal of its capabilities, does not overestimate or underestimate those capabilities, and identifies potential problems that may be involved in making what DoD wants.

B
Part 'B' is for those who are going to do the actual number crunching - the producibility measurements.

It provides two proven, broadly applicable producibility measurement techniques and general instructions in how to use them. It also offers suggestions on sources of expertise in producibility measurement should they be needed.

It would be great if you read the whole book. But, if your concern is 'Why is producibility measurement important?' and 'Why should we do it?', just read Part 'A' .

On the other hand, if your concern is 'How do we do it?' and 'Where can we get help?', then you only need read Part 'B'.

This book is not intended to be the alpha and omega on the subject of producibility measurement. But it will get you headed in the right direction and, with the assistance of the sources listed, provide the means for handling any situations that you are likely to encounter.

Finally, so we all get off on the right foot, here is what producibility means in this book:

Producibility is a measure of the relative ease of manufacturing a product.