We are excited to provide version 3.0 of these Guidelines for Successful Acquisition and Management of Software Intensive Systems. We are pleased that prior editions have been so well received and that many individuals and programs have worked to implement the principles contained herein. Since this project began, the software community has experienced rapid changes. During the last few years in particular, software acquisition reform has introduced several changes and alterations of many long-held approaches. In the first few chapters we have tried to address these changes and accompanying issues. Likewise, we have updated information related to systems and software. We have left intact discussions dealing with software engineering principles since these tried-and-true principles do not change much often, its putting them into consistent practice that is forgotten.

The turnover in the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition and management work force has suggested additional reasons for these Guidelines. The entire work force has not been fully acclimated to the new approaches embodied in the acquisition reform policies. Also, we have witnessed many situations where individuals have repeated inappropriate or unsuccessful practices. Our hope is that the lessons learned by the past generation of acquisition managers and systems developers will put the new kids on the block on a success-oriented path. Hence, we have included information and emphasized concepts that may seem old-hat to those of you with experience but are completely new for others.