Theory of Constraints (TOC) Project Management (PM) in the Dynamic World of Test and Evaluation
The purpose of this program, the approach taken by the Test Wing to implement this new methodology and the associated tools in seven portfolios encompassing over 200 projects with a budget of over $300M, and the results and lessons learned are discussed.
Abstract
Test and evaluation projects have historically been wrought with delays due to system immaturity, system performance anomalies, problems with weather, instrumentation, and ranges, and the challenges associated with executing highly complex test techniques. The major programs can use their priority to secure sufficient resources (ranges, frequency spectrum, airborne chase support, special targets, etc.) to compensate for the known variables of test and evaluation; but this does not insulate them completely from anomalies. For all of the other test projects it has become a monumental task to manage the schedule of their testing in a resource constrained environment. To address these issues the 412th Test Wing, Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), Edwards AFB, California, launched an implementation of Theory of Constraints based Project Management three years ago. This paper will discuss the purpose of this program, the approach taken by the Test Wing to implement this new methodology and the associated tools in seven portfolios encompassing over 200 projects with a budget of over $300M, and the results and lessons learned from this deployment (currently 92 projects are in TOC execution).