PEO sees things moving in the right direction Published Sept. 4, 2012 By Chuck Paone 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Addressing a local industry group here Aug. 29, Battle Management Program Executive Officer Steve Wert said he's confident recent Air Force Materiel Command restructuring moves things in the right direction. "I'm very optimistic about where this is all going," he said during the monthly meeting of the Hanscom Representatives Association. "One of the best things is that it validates the value of PEOs operating in the field." He noted that the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is basically structured around PEO-led directorates rather than around local centers, which offers PEOs added authority. "Having that milestone decision authority (MDA) in the field allows us to operate extremely quickly and in a much more streamlined way," said Wert, who noted that he is the MDA for about 95 percent of the approximately 180 programs in the new Battle Management portfolio. The portfolio consists primarily of programs that had already been in Battle Management and those that had previously been managed within the Theater Command and Control PEO, which Wert previously led, along with other programs at Robins, Tinker, and Hill Air Force Bases. He acknowledged that the merger has resulted in a large span of control, citing a long list of programs and efforts he's now in charge of. At a point he stopped and simply concluded with: "It's a lot of stuff." However he was quick to point out that, while he's responsible for all the programs, he doesn't have to directly manage each one. He noted that, with the merger in place, the directorate has a very strong group of system program managers. "They're all really top-notch," he said. Wert also discussed the direction he received from former Air Force Service Acquisition Executive David Van Buren about priorities and time-balancing. "When he said you will spend 85 percent of your time focused on programs, the primary mission, I listened," Wert said. "Now I'm sharing that guidance with my SPMs. We don't need ceremonial organizational leaders; we need acquisition leaders who are engaged on the programs and the primary mission." He noted, as many others have, that acquisition is a team sport but added that "the SPM is a quarterback, not a coach." Wert said his directorate is "obsessed with schedule," and noted later, while discussing trends, that there will be less and less tolerance for cost or schedule growth in programs. He also emphasized the need for shorter delivery cycles - preferably nothing longer than 12 months - stating that programs must be designed to deliver incremental capabilities. He is also looking at more utilization of small businesses. "Just because you've satisfied a local small business office requirement doesn't mean you've satisfied mine," Wert said, referencing recent instruction to his staff. Wert also offered thoughts on enterprise integration, saying that considering it at the center level within what had been the Electronic Systems Center is now "almost a quaint notion" when contrasted with the current need. He said that he needs to work very closely with the Hanscom-based C3I&N PEO Maj. Gen. Olson, but also with other PEO Directorates within the Air Force, other services, and Defense agencies. "Integration is something we have to do Air Force-wide and often within the joint community too," he said.