Review of Navy R&D Management 1946-1973

This review was initiated by senior Navy officials who realized that the corporate memory of significant events in the evolution of Navy RD management since World War II was rapidly diminishing. Management solutions, previously tried and found wanting, were beginning to reappear the rationale behind others was blurred by the passage of time. While numerous case studies had been prepared on various projects and historical information figured prominently in several Navy management studies, there had been no systematic attempt to review and document the circumstances surrounding significant developments the issues, the alternatives, and the decisions from which many major changes derived. Prior to initiating work the Navy Department agreed that, to the extent that they contribute to the objective of the review, the following subjects would be covered Characteristics of each period within the era in terms of external and internal influences, issues, needs, key individuals, and management philosophy Organization and its evolution in terms of structure, relationships, responsibilities, and authority Principal policies and procedures and their influence on management efficacy Important projects their urgency and significance Level of resources applied to RD and trends therein Noteworthy results, achievements, and failures and Impact of above factors on RD field activities and industry.