The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently published a report stating that the US Navy falls short on design practices that reduce leading companies' shipbuilding time.
The GAO said companies implement the following measures:
The GAO said that, in contrast, the US Navy often creates new ship designs and has many stakeholders in a lengthy decision-making process, hence the recommendation to apply these and other leading practices.
Since 2009, the GAO has used leading practices in commercial shipbuilding to evaluate the plans and execution of navy shipbuilding programs.
The GAO's numerous recommendations have spurred navy action to improve acquisition practices and the use of funds. However, the GAO said the navy has continued to face persistent challenges in its ability to design and deliver timely, affordable new ships that perform as expected.
Computing power and digital design capabilities have rapidly changed in the 15 years since the GAO first identified leading ship design practices. As a result, the office's examination of commercial industry's current practices helps ensure that the activities and performance of the navy's shipbuilding programs are evaluated against cutting-edge practices used to design new ships efficiently and effectively.
The GAO found that leading commercial ship buyers and builders prioritise shorter, predictable periods for design and construction, which result in delivering timely ships that meet current user needs. In contrast, the navy's approach often results in significantly longer design and construction cycle times for its shipbuilding programs' lead ships.
Key differences between commercial companies' and the navy's ship design practices contribute to the slower pace and less predictable cost, schedule, and performance outcomes for navy shipbuilding programs. Leading design practices involve:
A conference report directed the GAO to examine ship design practices. This report assesses:
To address these objectives. the GAO interviewed and reviewed documentation from four commercial ship buyers and five shipbuilders (as builders generally also design the ships). The GAO selected these companies using criteria reflective of commercial success in designing, building, and buying ships relatable to navy ships.
The GAO also reviewed its prior work on leading practices for shipbuilding and product development. In addition, the GAO reviewed documentation and interviewed representatives from the navy and selected navy shipbuilders, as well as reviewed prior work on navy shipbuilding program efforts.
Based on the results of these activities, the GAO compared the ship design practices used by the navy with leading commercial practices.
The GAO is raising to the attention of Congress three matters for its consideration regarding reporting and certification requirements. The matters would enable Congress to gain additional information on design maturity for navy shipbuilding programs.
The GAO is also making eight recommendations to the Secretary of the Navy, which are intended to support improvements to the navy's design approach, decision-making practices, and design capabilities that facilitate more timely, predictable outcomes for its shipbuilding programs.
The navy agreed with seven recommendations and partially agreed with one recommendation. The GAO continues to believe that all eight recommendations should be fully implemented.
