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The Seven Deadly Risks of Defence Projects
Author: Fred Bennett
Volume 6, Number 3 (Spring 2010), pp. 97-111.
Abstract
De-risking major defence projects means reducing the military competitiveness of the Australian Defence Force. Major defence projects are characterised by novelty, uncertainty and complexity. These inherent risks are exacerbated by the interdependence of projects, resource limitations, technological change and human ambition. Our democratic system imposes overarching constraints. Defence capability mangers and their political masters should therefore place less emphasis on precise forecasts of the process, schedule and cost of major defence projects. They should place more emphasis on the development of project managers as reflective practitioners rather than trained technicians.
About the Author
Fred Bennett AM was Chief of Capital Procurement, Australian Department of Defence 1984–88. After retiring from the Australian Public Service he wrote The Amateur Managers: A study of the management of weapons system projects, published by the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, ANU, in 1990. pandfb@bigpond.com.
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