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Technical Leadership Development Guidebook
Publication Date: 7/24/2018Research Programs:
Based upon research conducted by the Systems Engineering Research Cente runder the sponsorship of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Engineering in the "Leadership Development Framework for the Technical Acquisition Workforce" research project, this guidebook describes a career model for the technical acquisition workforce which captures the key elements required to develop technical leaders. It identifies key technical leadership competencies, an assessment framework for self or organizational assessment and specific methods to increase proficiency in leading technical professionals. The research culminated in technical report SERC-2016-TR-111 and edited into this Guidebook for use of the Department of Defense’s technical workforce.
Visit the Defense Acquisition University website to download and view this guidebook.
The Technical Leadership Development Framework seeks to address the following risks the Department of Defense (DoD) is facing regarding the civilian technical workforce.
• Aging workforce demographic: The DoD civilian technical workforce is an aging demographic, resulting in senior technical talent retiring.
• Threat to technological supremacy: Capable technical leaders are needed for the U.S. to maintain its lead in global technical advancement.
• Lack of career development “roadmap”: There is no process in place to improve the leadership competencies of developing technical leaders, competencies that would allow them to move into senior technical positions.
These issues compound one another and their consequences are severe. The Technical Leadership Development Framework offers a solution.