This paper will discuss the tailoring and utilization of Commercial Off—the—Shelf (COTS) software to perform Program Management. The requirements were to provide a COTS approach to Program scheduling and tracking, determining and tracking personnel resource requirements, and to depict program funding status. Specifically, this paper will address the COTS software utilized by the Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation. Command (STRICOM) to perform Program Management from the receipt of a draft Operational Requirements Document to system delivery.

Typically Program Managers have not had sufficient automated tools for Program Schedule planning and tracking, personnel resource forecasting and utilization, and funding overview in an easy to use formal. The ability to crosscheck the deliveries specified in a RFP and Section F of a contract has been labor intensive in the past. This paper will discuss the integration and utilization of Microsoft Project and Excel to accomplish these tasks easily and in a timely manner.

In discussing the utilization of COTS software for Program Management, the paper will address the requirements for the STRICOM system, its capabilities, and the benefits received from its use. The paper will also discuss the system's applicability to other organizations, both government and defense contractor.

Automated program management for all systems, ACAT I to ACAT IV, is required to schedule and track shrinking resources and to conduct real time "what if" drills in order to make intelligent program decisions. The utilization of the STRICOM system is one method of accomplishing these tasks.