Current Air Force practices invoke the Program Planning Review (PPR) and its associated data submissions and review meetings on all new simulator procurements. The PPR, as defined by Air Force policy, provides both the contractor and Air Force program offices with insight into the program plans to insure successful completion of all contract objectives.

The PPR requirements have been the subject of recent comments, studies, and reviews. The resulting opinions have consistently questioned the "need" for the in-depth planning and related data submissions required to support the PPR Milestone within the first four months after contract award. The arguments both for and against concern the quantity of data submitted, the number of reviews scheduled, and the resulting impact on the contractor.

This paper summarizes the successful completion of the PPR requirements on a current Air Force simulator contract where proper preparation and implementation of the program plans by the contractor, and prompt, explicit review by the government, resulted in a program baseline which has met all cost and schedule objectives to date.