Date of Award

9-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Amy M. Cox, PhD

Abstract

A key metric of success for Department of Defense (DoD) Research and Development organizations is the ability to transition technologies and prototypes. Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering's prototyping guide shows successful transition pathways come in the forms of transition to operational use, rapid fielding, existing program adoption, or a new acquisition program (2018). There are many factors that occur throughout a prototype projects lifecycle that impact the likelihood of transition. These factors include both qualitative and quantitative factors. Limited research has been performed, past the best practice considerations, of what factors impact transition of prototyping efforts. This research evaluates commercial technology prototyping projects to identify the project characteristics and factors that correlate with transition success. The research setting is DoDs commercial product prototyping organization, the Defense Innovation Unit. The findings show that beyond technology success, the resources of time and money, stakeholder commitment and consistency, project execution and transition market factors correlate with transition success.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-MS-20-S-093

DTIC Accession Number

AD1114236

Download

Share

COinS