The Defense Acquisition University has released guidance for Defense Department program managers on shutting down a program or contract, noting that the department faces the potential of terminating more programs due to the current fiscal environment.According to the guidebook published on the DAU website, program shutdown could be due to changes in available funding or cost growth, design materials and technology, policy, execution responsibility and program performance, among others.
PMs should consider the program’s maturity, classification, size, status and visibility with Congress; the agreement in acquisition approach; technology transfer opportunities; relationship between industry and government PMs; and available termination resources in creating a “smart” shutdown plan, the guide stated.
The plan should include management tasks, reference documents and personnel, technology, operational capability, contract, budget and security considerations, it added.
In the document, DAU acknowledged that DoD currently does not have a formal program termination process and that it has provided the department guidance through the Smart Shutdown Performance Support program.
The SSPS Special Interest Area guides PMs using templates for planning and reporting and case scenarios from interviews and statements, all of which DAU said it has consolidated into the Smart Shutdown Guidebook.
