{"id":47918,"date":"2025-07-16T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T11:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/?p=47918"},"modified":"2025-08-07T19:28:17","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T23:28:17","slug":"focus-from-viable-to-defendable-designing-programs-that-deliver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-from-viable-to-defendable-designing-programs-that-deliver\/","title":{"rendered":"From Viable to Defendable: Designing Programs That Deliver"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"47918\" class=\"elementor elementor-47918\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4eccb85 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4eccb85\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c05175 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8c05175\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a0788b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9a0788b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"\/blog\">Focus: SPA Perspectives<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6aca2af e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6aca2af\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abdbaab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abdbaab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Categories: <a href=\"\/blog-capabilities\">Capabilities<\/a> | Acquisition Portfolio and Program Management | Analysis of Alternatives<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18d5caa e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18d5caa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f1a50c elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f1a50c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From Viable to Defendable: Designing Programs That Deliver<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dca79ec e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dca79ec\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7993998 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7993998\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b72b577 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b72b577\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/blog\/authors\/pat-malone\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PM.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-44685\" alt=\"Pat Malone, SPA Cost Analyst - Principal Team Lead\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PM.png 200w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/PM-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ca20f6 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ca20f6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c475ca elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c475ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAuthor: <a href=\"\/blog\/authors\/pat-malone\"><em>Pat Malone<\/em><\/a>, Principal, Systems Planning &amp; Analysis\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d0d089 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5d0d089\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c88c75 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"6c88c75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-09fc93d elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlexandria, VA | July 16, 2025\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9184ff2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"9184ff2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e06b687 qodef-sticky-column--no\" data-id=\"e06b687\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29eab8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29eab8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn defense acquisition, selecting the best technical solution is not enough. Success depends on how well that choice holds up under scrutiny\u2014from oversight bodies, Congress, and operational users alike\u2014while ensuring the program performs as intended. That\u2019s where the traditional approach to Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) falls short.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aeb8bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1aeb8bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In this post, I\u2019ll outline a methodology that helps Department of Defense (DoD) decision-makers move from choosing a viable technical option to building a defendable and executable one. This approach integrates technical performance with programmatic execution metrics to reveal which alternatives are not just operationally effective, but realistically achievable within budget and schedule constraints.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3afcb01 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3afcb01\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8eef670 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8eef670\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c31c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06c31c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Rethinking AoA: Why Executability Matters<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe679c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe679c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A typical DoD Analysis of Alternatives compares multiple options for meeting a validated capability or mission need. AoAs are a required part of the <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/crs-product\/IF12817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System<\/a><\/span> (JCIDS), which guides how capability gaps are identified, assessed, and resolved. The AoA assesses each option\u2019s operational effectiveness (OE), suitability, and life-cycle cost (LCC). But often, these analyses lean heavily on technical performance metrics while neglecting the real-world challenges of execution.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09535c7 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"09535c7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b54fe3b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b54fe3b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5871b4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5871b4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yet, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) continues to cite schedule delays, cost growth, and knowledge gaps in major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs). In its <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/gao-23-106059.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2023 Weapon System Annual Assessment<\/a><\/span>, the GAO reported $37 billion in added cost and average schedule slips of 12 months across active programs. Delays like the FAA has experienced with the NextGen ATC implementation can threaten the entire program, even after significant investments have been made. This is not new\u2014the GAO has reported similar issues for more than twenty-five years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef7cafa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef7cafa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe implication is clear: technical performance alone doesn\u2019t deliver results. Programs must be executable.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecd0cfe e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ecd0cfe\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d58980e e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d58980e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ce8bc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ce8bc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Hidden Drivers: Programmatic Metrics in AoA\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2cc7ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2cc7ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTo better support decision-making, we propose enhancing the AoA framework by incorporating programmatic utility\u2014a set of attributes that measure a program\u2019s likelihood of successful execution.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac5238d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac5238d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn addition to traditional operational effectiveness metrics like reliability, availability, and range, we include:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8619066 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8619066\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a1f90 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"82a1f90\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4803773 elementor-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"4803773\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Schedule Confidence<\/b> - The probability of meeting key program milestones.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Technology Readiness Level (TRL)<\/b> - A nine-point scale that assesses maturity of critical technologies.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Program Risk<\/b> - The overall likelihood of encountering issues in integration, manufacturing, or demonstration<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Quality and Suitability<\/b> - Factors affecting ease of fielding, including supportability, human factors, and maintainability.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fd8aee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fd8aee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTogether, these metrics provide a clearer picture of whether a program is not only optimal on paper but also likely to be delivered on time, within budget, and with acceptable levels of risk.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50aa5c6 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"50aa5c6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b490606 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b490606\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8d75a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c8d75a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Structured Approach: Using AHP for Integrated Decision-Making\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95a73dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95a73dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To integrate these metrics, we use the <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.6sigma.us\/six-sigma-in-focus\/analytic-hierarchy-process-ahp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Analytic Hierarchy Process<\/a><\/span> (AHP)\u2014a proven decision-analysis tool that breaks down complex decisions into a hierarchy of criteria and weighs their relative importance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3257099 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3257099\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This method allows us to:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c3786e elementor-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"2c3786e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Decompose the problem into technical, programmatic, and cost elements.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Use pairwise comparisons to establish the relative importance of each factor.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Synthesize a single utility score\u2014or visualize the trade space in multi-dimensional form.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b38e526 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b38e526\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5391984 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5391984\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbfb64d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbfb64d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This approach is reflected in the figure on the right, which separates operational effectiveness and programmatic utility into distinct dimensions. This structure enables more transparent sensitivity analysis and highlights attributes that might otherwise remain hidden in traditional, performance-heavy AoAs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-730471d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"730471d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In many AoAs, traditional metrics may favor technically ambitious solutions. But when programmatic utility and cost are added to the equation, those same alternatives can fall behind better-balanced, more executable options.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6af30c e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6af30c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b33a79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b33a79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"SPA-Suitability-Analysis\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDc5NDMsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc3BhLmNvbVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDdcL1NQQS1TdWl0YWJpbGl0eS1BbmFseXNpcy5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-47943\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives Suitability Analysis graphic\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Suitability-Analysis.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70cda5e e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"70cda5e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85fa3d4 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85fa3d4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f36e87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8f36e87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Visualizing the Trade Space<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67dd378 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"67dd378\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6342922 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6342922\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDc5NTksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc3BhLmNvbVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDdcL1NQQS1NdWx0aS1EaW1lbnNpb25hbC1DYXNlLUFuYWx5c2lzLmpwZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-47959\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives Multi-Dimensional Case Analysis\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SPA-Multi-Dimensional-Case-Analysis.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-401bc2a e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"401bc2a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42ac872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42ac872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To help decision-makers grasp these trade-offs, we use visual models that plot utility (performance) against cost and optionally add a third axis for programmatic utility. The figure below shows how the top-ranked solution changes depending on whether the focus is purely technical, includes programmatic factors, or includes cost. This type of visualization does more than compare options\u2014it illuminates execution risk in a way traditional AoAs cannot. That visibility is essential for program managers responsible for delivering capability on time and within budget. For that reason, it is ideal for briefings where multiple stakeholders need to understand the basis for trade-offs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29ad357 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"29ad357\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9feafd2 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9feafd2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98e6278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"98e6278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImplications for Program Management and Oversight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-357e184 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"357e184\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy adopting this holistic approach to AoA, DoD program leaders and acquisition professionals gain:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c73944 elementor-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"9c73944\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Greater transparency <\/b> in how weighting decisions affect outcomes.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Stronger alignment<\/b> with execution realities\u2014critical for MDAPs and MT As (Middle Tier Acquisitions Pathway).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Defendable justifications<\/b> for milestone reviews, including Milestone B (which marks readiness to enter system development and demonstration).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 83 72\"><defs><style>      .cls-1 {        stroke-linecap: round;        stroke-linejoin: bevel;      }      .cls-1, .cls-2 {        fill: none;        stroke: #000;        stroke-width: 3px;      }      .cls-2 {        stroke-miterlimit: 10;      }    <\/style><\/defs><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"34.5\" cy=\"33.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><circle class=\"cls-2\" cx=\"49.5\" cy=\"40.5\" r=\"28.5\"><\/circle><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"21\" y1=\"41\" x2=\"52\" y2=\"41\"><\/line><line class=\"cls-1\" x1=\"41\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"51.7\" y2=\"40.8\"><\/line><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Improved outcomes<\/b> in terms of cost, schedule, and mission effectiveness.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3794b7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3794b7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This method also supports <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/capabilities\/acquisition-portfolio-and-program-management\/\">Integrated Program Management<\/a><\/span> (IPM) by revealing hidden risks and schedule sensitivities early\u2014before a program becomes locked into a path that may be technically sound but logistically impractical.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2f759b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e2f759b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d77eea0 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d77eea0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18adca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"18adca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFrom Analysis to Action\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f93926a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f93926a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn today\u2019s acquisition environment, success is judged not only by what a system can do, but by whether the program will deliver on time and within budget. A viable solution may pass technical muster, but a defendable one survives real-world scrutiny.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d724e1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d724e1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBy expanding the AoA framework to include programmatic utility and cost influencers\u2014structured objectively through AHP\u2014we equip decision-makers to navigate complexity with confidence\u2014and choose programs that deliver.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddb83ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ddb83ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Learn about all of <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/capabilities\/\">SPA\u2019s core capabilities<\/a><\/span> and <span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"mailto:info@spa.com\">contact us<\/a><\/span> to learn how SPA supports executable acquisition strategies through advanced Analysis of Alternatives and integrated program management.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d8a80b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3d8a80b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68b7b4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68b7b4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related 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class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48890 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-national-security-infrastructure-protection category-software-cyber-cloud-computing tag-and-cloud-computing tag-cabaniss tag-chip-manufacturing tag-chip-war tag-cyber tag-defense-tech tag-national-security tag-semiconductors tag-software tag-spa tag-supply-chain-resilience tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-technology-policy\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives Beyond the Chip: Why National Security Depends on the Entire Semiconductor Ecosystem blog\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/08\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t13\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tAug\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/national-security-infrastructure-protection\/\" rel=\"tag\">National Security and Infrastructure Protection<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/software-cyber-cloud-computing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Software, Cyber, and Cloud Computing<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\">\n\t\tBeyond the Chip: Why National Security Depends on the Entire Semiconductor Ecosystem\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\" target=\"_self\"  >    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Read More<\/span>    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-right qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48546 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-software-cyber-cloud-computing tag-blog tag-capabilities tag-cloud-computing tag-cyber tag-software tag-space-and-missile-defense tag-systems-engineering-meteyer tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-united-states-space-force\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives blog post: Space Warfare: How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead in the Orbital Arms Race\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/08\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t06\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tAug\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/software-cyber-cloud-computing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Software, Cyber, and Cloud Computing<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\">\n\t\tSpace Warfare: How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead in the Orbital Arms Race\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\" target=\"_self\"  >    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Read More<\/span>    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-right qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48081 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-systems-engineering-integration tag-blog tag-capabilities tag-space-and-missile-defense tag-systems-engineering-meteyer tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-united-states-space-force\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-operating-in-a-contested-orbit-why-culture-and-doctrine-are-key-elements-of-space-superiority\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/07\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t30\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tJul\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/systems-engineering-integration\/\" rel=\"tag\">Systems Engineering and Integration\u200b<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-operating-in-a-contested-orbit-why-culture-and-doctrine-are-key-elements-of-space-superiority\/\">\n\t\tOperating in a Contested Orbit: Why Culture and Doctrine Are Key Elements of Space Superiority\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" 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