Revolutionizing the Defense Industry: A Call forE􀆯iciency and Quality

Paul Lizotte

October 7, 2024 - The foundation of IV&V is profoundly personal to me, rooted in my pride for my father—a true hero who landed on the shores of Normandy during World War II, where he eventually met my mother. Growing up in a household shaped by their remarkable experiences instilled in me a deep respect for those who have fought for our freedom and all individuals dedicated to hard work, regardless of their roles. This environment of respect, love, and diligence forms the cornerstone of my vision for the defense industry.

Yet, it’s disheartening to witness the defense industry struggling with efficiency, frequently taking longer to complete projects while exceeding budgets. In large companies, the proposal phase often introduces unnecessary personnel, departments, and inflated costs. This tendency to quote high creates a cycle where teams feel pressured to inflate hours, anticipating negotiations that may bring them down later.

As projects accumulate hours, additional personnel are brought in, layering already bloated processes governed by rigid quality systems. This paradox—where excess bureaucracy benefits profitability—allows companies to stretch project timelines across multiple financial periods. Unfortunately, this focus on cost reduction often overshadows the critical importance of schedule and quality. Customers, constrained by budgets, sometimes prioritize “nice-to-haves” over essential product quality, leading to an unsettling acceptance of diminished standards.

However, the Department of Defense (DOD) landscapeis evolving. There is now a pressing demand for speed—“faster, faster, faster.” While accelerating schedules is crucial, it doesn’t necessarily equate to reduced hours. We need to hire more full-time employees and allocate additional management hours to ensure fast-paced projects stay on track—all while navigating complex quality standards.

Our customers will invest more if we can deliver significantly improved schedules. Yet, the bloated corporate environment leaves little room for pursuing increased efficiency. Many new hires lack proper training, expected to self-learn and sign off on their training completion. While general training sessions may occur, employees often receive little specific guidance for their roles. During audits, they’re instructed to respond, “I don’t know the answer, but I know where to find it.” But shouldn’t everyone diligently follow established procedures? The urgent need for speed demands experienced employees, yet there’s little time for proper training or mentorship.

With a shrinking pool of skilled workers facing an influx of untrained staff, can we afford to overlook our comprehensive quality processes? Is it realistic to expect we can streamline ingrained procedures and return to efficiency overnight? While this vision is ambitious, the shift towards faster results is immediate—it cannot wait another year or even another day.

Change and innovation are essential to break the cycle of adding processes, people, delays, and costs while settling for “good enough.” This transformation must happen now.

IV&V was established with a solid commitment to simplicity, minimal operating costs, and swift project schedules. In our industry, validation processes often drag on unnecessarily due to excessive steps and bureaucratic practices. We aim to maintain a streamlined approach, independently supporting all project aspects—from contract management to engineering, program management, quality, supply chain, and security. Our dedication to this direction should instill confidence in our ability to realize our vision.

What message are you sending to your customers if you choose to verify and validate your own designs, resulting in higher costs, longer schedules, and potential conflicts of interest that jeopardize quality?

The time for change is now. Together, we can redefine the standards of efficiency and quality in the defense industry.