erational trade-offs, even amidst imperfect data. While digital models can unify teams, another persistent challenge surfaces: the tendency to prioritize performance over afford - ability throughout the life cycle. A major gap is our failure to evalu - ate long-term affordability as sys - tems mature, whether working with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or custom modifications. We default to technical performance and immedi - ate data while neglecting Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) metrics. As a result, leadership lacks the visibility needed to determine if a system remains affordable over its life cycle. Without integrated cost mod - els, we can’t make proactive, ev - idence-based decisions or ac - knowledge known reliability risks. Leaders should integrate cost models by
Key takeaway. These steps break down silos and enable faster, more re - silient delivery of capabilities. Digital Models = Single Source of Truth Resolving this challenge requires executive ownership of systems from inception through sustainment. Ex - amples, such as Air Force digital modeling efforts, demonstrate how shared digital baselines enable in - tegrated decisions and clarify op -
Executives can implement the fol - lowing actions to close this gap: • Implement regular portfolio-level data reviews, even when infor - mation is imperfect, to surface is - sues and support timely, unified decisions. • Create centralized digital work - spaces where stakeholders can share real-time updates and in - sights, improving visibility across all functional areas.
SEPTEMBER –OCTOBER 2026 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE 11
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