Empowering the Defense Acquisition Workforce to Improve Mission Outcomes Using Data Science (2021) / Chapter Skim
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6 Preparing and Sustaining a Data-Capable Defense Acquisition Workforce
6 Preparing and Sustaining a Data-Capable Defense Acquisition Workforce
Pages 62-77
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From page 62... ...
Taken together, information gathered from the site visits and invited speakers provided key insights for future data analytics and data science training programs for acquisition personnel.
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From page 63... ...
For most degree programs, learners must apply and be accepted into the program, but individual courses offered through continuing education programs may only require prerequisite courses for admittance. The majority of the data analytics and data science courses currently offered in higher education institutions occur over the span of a semester or quarterly schedule and are either in person, online, or in a hybrid model that synchronously combines in-person and virtual attendance.
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From page 64... ...
Accreditation (External, Internal, or Non) Certifying exam or assessment Organization-level personalization Traditional Higher- high varies varies typically yes yes in person, externally at course rarely Education: Degrees hybrid, and accredited level virtual Higher-Education: varies rarely yes varies yes varies typically in externally at course rarely Continuing Education and person accredited level Auditing Certificate Programs varies varies varies typically yes varies typically in varies yes sometimes person Micro-credentials varies varies yes varies yes varies both internally yes, varies rarely Bootcamps high rarely varies varies yes not in person internal varies rarely really Massive Open Online free to typically yes rarely rarely not by virtual rarely if paid for, rarely Courses (MOOCs)
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From page 65... ...
The educational adaptations developed in response to the pandemic are creating a window of opportunities for higher education institutions to collaborate with a broader set of external stakeholders and organizations. Higher education is primed to partner with defense acquisition to provide accessible and tailored course offerings in data analytics and data science.
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From page 66... ...
Some bootcamps are project-based, meaning the learners complete a project that demonstrates their abilities, as an immersive experience where learners can refine and apply their skills. While some higher education institutions offer bootcamps for data analytics and data sciences, most are offered in the commercial sector at variable cost ranging from $25 a month to nearly $20,000 for a full program.
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From page 67... ...
Through these established part nerships, MOOC courses can count toward certificates or digital patches to verify proficiency in various skills and competencies. Executive and Leadership Training The growing demand for data analytics and data science skills has seen a concomitant demand for team leaders and decision makers who can facilitate collaboration between technical and business personnel, manage data science teams, communicate relevant data findings, and apply data to decision making.
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From page 68... ...
It is possible to monitor these developments to take advantage of the new opportunities that higher education offers through training partnerships to provide additional data analytics and data science training for acquisition personnel. DATA USE AND ANALYSIS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEFENSE ACQUISITION PERSONNEL -- CURRENT PROGRAMS Personnel in the defense acquisition workforce, as well as a large proportion of support contractors, receive training for their jobs through Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
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From page 69... ...
As of summer 2020, DAU offered the certification program Data Analytics for DoD Acquisition Managers. As DAU expands data analytics training through its new credentialing pathway, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)
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From page 70... ...
Defense acquisition personnel can enroll in data analytics degree programs, certification pathways, and continuing education courses at DoD-affiliated institutes such as DAU, NPS, and AFIT, but there are also opportunities for personnel to receive data training at non-DoD institutions. In some instances, DoD educational institutions engage with external partners to fulfill training criteria.
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From page 71... ...
Broadening DAU's educational partnerships allows DoD to outsource some training and potentially d evelop hiring pipelines at partner institutions. While not specific to defense acquisition, the Army launched a higher education partnership program in 2020 to build personnel capabilities in data science and artificial intelligence.
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From page 72... ...
The committee encourages DAU, NPS, and AFIT to continue piloting new approaches to delivering data analytics and data science training to acquisition personnel, but evaluations and assessments are essential to those piloting efforts. As the acquisition workforce engages in new data training programs, clear evaluation plans will help inform future efforts for scaling and modifying the programs to best address acquisition data needs.
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From page 73... ...
Successful approaches and pro grams can be expanded to increase effectiveness and broaden the data capabilities of the defense acquisition workforce. INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT TRAINING APPROACHES IN DATA SCIENCE AND ANALYTICS Given the competition to hire data talent, many organizations across the United States are addressing their increased demand for data capabilities by developing their own training programs, pathways, or partnerships.
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From page 74... ...
Intel's required training is not intended to develop every employee into a data engineer or analyst, but to instead ensure that every employee has a basic understanding of how data science contributes to Intel's development and growth as a data-centric organization. Federal agencies outside of DoD also offer personnel opportunities for data training, and training material and structure may be scalable to DoD-led efforts.
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From page 75... ...
Providing a variety of training opportunities for increasing the data capabilities of the defense acquisition workforce will enable data-informed decision making to improve cost, schedule, and performance across DoD. Recommendation 6.5: Defense acquisition leadership should take pro gram goals and characteristics into account when selecting or devel
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From page 76... ...
While DoD has a data strategy, it lacks specific guidance for how data science can improve defense acquisition. Specific guidance should address not only phases of the data life cycle and consumption, but also the workforce that facili tates these functions and is central to the data life cycle.
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From page 77... ...
2019. "Refreshing Acquisition Workforce Skills." Defense Acqui sition University.
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