DoD Innovation Challenges

Google co-founder Eric Schmidt recently testified to Congress about how to break down barriers to DoD Innovation and speed. Schmidt, who currently chairs the Defense Innovation Board, highlighted challenges in procurement, bridging the research-practice gap, and appropriations. Can you think of other important challenges that must be tackled to create an environment where agile product development can thrive within DoD? Why it is important – as threats increasingly take on the characteristics of non-state organizations, they become more and more agile. We are already ceding speed of action to the threat in several key areas – and as warfare becomes increasingly information-centric, the gap stands to widen unless we take bold action now. Key Quote: “The DOD violates pretty much every rule in modern product development,” Schmidt said.