Author, Speaker and Founder, My Business Excellence
DRAIN THE DEFENCE SWAMP
A Blueprint for Weapons Acquisition Reform
How to FIX every Product Development to be more Affordable, Producible and Problem-Free
Author: Gary D. Stewart
It takes courage to challenge the normal way things get done in a monolithic, intransigent bureaucracy, especially when that bureaucracy involves the Department of Defence and its Prime contractors.
Armed with profound knowledge and decades of experience in transforming complex business systems, Gary Stewart presents a critical review of Australia’s capability to acquire advanced weapon systems that are fit for purpose at reasonable cost and delivered on time. These projects are a huge drain on our national budget.
The case for fundamental reform presented by Gary Stewart is predicated on decades of facts that are in the public domain but continue to be largely ignored or downplayed by the Defence bureaucracy. Our warfighters suffer in silence as a result of sub-optimal equipment that is delivered late. And the Australian taxpayer suffers time after time under massive cost blowouts that severely damage the economy. The adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the need for disruptive change.
To his credit, Gary Stewart also outlines the way forward to bring about the disruptive systemic change that is urgently needed to fix these long-standing, intractable problems. As always though, systemic change aimed at overcoming the root causes of organizational problems must be led and orchestrated by the people at the very top of the organization concerned. Their job is to ensure that the system for which they are collectively responsible works for all – but especially for the warfighter! The security of this country depends on it.
That is why this Blueprint for Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform is a must read for our Military Branch Chiefs, the Chief of the Defence Force, the Minister for Defence and for our Prime Minister. The stakes are that high.
This book is also a sobering read for anyone trying to run their own business in the most effective way possible.