14 May 03. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz has signed new acquisition policies consistent with the Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld’s goal of transforming the Defense Department’s business practices as well as its warfighting capabilities. The policies follow Wolfowitz’s earlier direction to create an acquisition policy environment that fosters efficiency, flexibility, creativity and innovation.

The new policies are captured in two directives: DoD Directive 5000.1, The Defense Acquisition System, which describes overarching acquisition policy, and DoD Instruction 5000.2, The Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, which establishes the framework for translating mission needs and requirements into stabile, affordable and well managed programs.

The policies achieve Wolfowitz’s and Under Secretary of Defense for Aquisition, Technology and Logistics Edward C.

“Pete”Aldridge’s objectives by giving acquisition decision makers much greater authority to tailor program strategies to fit the needs of their program. Greater emphasis is now placed on evolutionary acquisition as the preferred strategy for rapidly acquiring advanced warfighting capability. Program managers are now given the flexibility to be creative and efficient in the way they apply policy to their programs. The policies are designed to release the power of innovation in every member of the acquisition, technology and logistics workforce.