Program Management --"an Art, not a Science," says AFMC commander

  • Published
  • By Gina Marie Giardina
  • 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, the Air Force Materiel Command commander, was a keynote speaker at the 2015 Acquisition Insight Focus Days at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Kenney Hall June 24.

Organized by the Defense Acquisition University and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the event brought nearly 1000 acquisition professionals to AFIT and was broadcasted via live video to ten other bases.

The event's theme was "Delivering Affordable Warfighting Capabilities."

Pawlikowski focused on program management and ways to not just improve in the short-term, but philosophies program managers should make every effort to embrace.

"Requirements are going to change, so get over it," she said as the audience laughed. "Your number one responsibility as a program manager is to remain flexible. ... Unless you have a very short program, just know that things are going to change."

She also spoke about the importance of a program's schedule.

"Schedule is everything," she said.  "The battle rhythm is most important . . . while you can't sacrifice quality and performance for expediency, if you take too long it becomes too expensive or then, irrelevant."

Another observation she shared was how as the program progresses, the attention needed on contract execution diminishes.

"The further you get up, you have to recognize that contract execution is a small part."

The audience broke out in collective laughter as Pawlikowski explained her fourth observation.

"Very few people understand our business so don't expect them to," she said.

Managing a program is like conducting an orchestra, she explained as her fifth observation.  You need to understand when all the various sections come in and how they fit into the whole program.  "You've got to be the expert with the holistic view."

Pawlikowski ended with her last observation of what program managers need to remember for success.

"Much of our business is managing risk," she said. "Spending money is not risk management; spending money right is risk management."

"Program management is an art, not a science," Pawlikowski said. "You have to pick up some battle scars along the way, but I tell ya--it's a fascinating job."

The other keynote speaker during the two-day event was the Honorable Frank Kendall, the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics.

After the morning speakers, there were many breakout sessions led by senior leaders.

The Acquisition Insight Focus Days event provides a one-stop opportunity for acquisition professionals to hear from senior leaders on the latest defense acquisition, technology and logistics issues. The event also features training sessions covering current interest topics in Defense acquisition and technology requirements.

DAU provides a global learning environment to develop qualified acquisition, requirements and contingency professionals who deliver and sustain effective and affordable warfighting capabilities.