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Zero-Sustainment Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force A Workshop Summary (2013) / Chapter Skim
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3 Wrap-Up Discussion
Pages 24-28

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From page 24...
... culture issues and training. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Some workshop participants noted that the Air Force has recognized that the trend of year-over-year increases in sustainment costs cannot continue, especially with the prospect of budget reductions throughout DoD as the United States attempts to get its fiscal house in order.
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From page 25...
... Some workshop participants noted that the success achieved in NAVAIR, which was driven primarily by customer-focused metrics tied to fully burdened costs and through the application of "Lean" management principles, provides an "existence proof" and template for what can be accomplished in the Air Force. However, participants who commented did not minimize the challenges involved in implementing these management principles.
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From page 26...
... Some participants expressed that a broader view of costs is required to encompass costs to accomplish the mission of the joint force and total sustainment cost. One concern expressed by a workshop participant related to the fragmented approach to costs in the Air Force is the difficulty of translating legitimate needs into a convincing business case for funding.
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From page 27...
... CULTURE ISSUES AND TRAINING According to one participant with experience in the NAVAIR Lean management experiment, the biggest barrier to changing Air Force culture and breaking through the stovepiped organization is likely to be the egos of the managers involved. The current incentives reward the best stovepipe, except during wartime.
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From page 28...
... This participant asserted that Lean management also requires that all members of the organization understand the business and its objectives through training. In the Air Force case, this includes both warfighters and civilians.
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Key Terms

  • participant noted
  • total sustainment
  • sustainment costs
  • contractor community
  • budget priorities

  • force sustainment
  • force chief
  • participant asserted
  • force culture
  • setting budget

  • sustainment cost
  • culture issues
  • changing air
  • shop floor
  • mission statement

  • various accounts
  • previous study
  • rationalize supply
  • lean theme
  • budget cuts

  • set budget
  • enterprise level
  • cannibalizing inactive
  • dollars obligated
  • deployed aircraft

  • reducing total
  • managers involved
  • aircraft flying
  • supply regulations
  • major theme


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