ADM2010 Congress: ADM2010 sets the agenda | ADM Apr 2010

The event has turned into a must attend event on the Defence calendar for those wanting to succeed in Defence business.

Katherine Ziesing | Canberra

Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet opened the event with a wide ranging presentation on the recent performance of the government against the various reports and recommendations currently on the agenda.

Combet announced that the living document concept of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) launched at D+I in 2009 would come to pass.

The Minister reiterated that the Government intends to update the public version of the Defence Capability Plan about every six months.

He also announced that Defence would be moving back to the 10-year DCP, as well as a range of improvements to the planning bible including:

• Increasing the level of detail of project descriptions

• Describing any Priority Industry Capability (PIC) aspects of projects

• Outlining applicable Australian Industry Capability (AIC) guidelines particularly for projects which are approaching Second Pass Approval

• Including improved information on timings for market solicitation activities

• Reinvigorating existing forums such as the Environmental Working Groups.

"The DCP will continue to be adjusted over time due to various factors that emerge as the capability development process progresses, including: changing strategic priorities and economic circumstances, the maturity of projects and the evolution of technology in the options under consideration, and operational experience," Combet said.

DMO CEO Dr Stephen Gumley updated the Defence community on how the DMO is performing under the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) and the various project schedules that the oprganisation faces.

He was pleased to announce that the DMO had reached the five per cent savings goals expected in 2008-2009 that he announced at the previous ADM Congress, amid much concern about the capacity of the DMO and industry to meet the target.

He also provided a frank analysis of issues raised by the ANAO DMO Major Projects Report.

For more detail on the metrics seen in the CEO's presentation, a PDF of the slides used can be downloaded from the ADM2010 conference website at http://www.informa.com.au/P10I02

Industry insights
BAE Systems CEO Jim McDowell added some much needed levity and wit to the proceedings with insights into how Defence Industry will deal with the cultural change being asked of both Defence and Industry to make sure the SRP comes together as planned.

With some lessons learned from both the UK and US reform programs, McDowell emphasised that trust will be the defining factor in the relationship between the two parties in the years to come.

The National Security Committee (NSC) has its work cut out for it in the lead up to the end of the financial year.

While the most recent meeting a range of project confirmations (including the Chinook helicopters, competition for the naval helicopters and Hercules upgrades), speakers at the ADM2010 Congress said that there was still much to be done if the schedule of the Defence Capability Plan was to stay on track.

Capability Development Group chief Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich expects to take about four projects a month to NSC for either first or second pass approval but Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Mark Thomson estimates that it will need to be closer to seven projects a month if the DCP is to stay on track.

Other speakers from Defence and Industry included:
• Paul Johnson, Managing Director, Lockheed Martin Australia
• Chris Jenkins, Managing Director, Thales Australia
• John Duddy, Managing Director, Boeing Defence Australia
• Professor Robert Clark, Chief Defence Scientist, DSTO
• Andrew Davies, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
• Michelle Kelly, Acting Head Acquisition and Sustainment Reform Division, DMO
• David Welch, General Manager, Rapid Prototyping, Development and Evaluation (RPDE) Program
• Mark Hodge, CEO, Defence Materials and Technology Centre (DMTC)
• Tony Quick, Director - Defence Industry Innovation Centre, Enterprise Connect Division, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
• Nigel Whelan, General Manager, Australian Defence Apparel