Process Mapping a Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materiel Shortages Reactive Management Strategy

With the United States military representing an ever-shrinking share of the electronics market, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materiel Shortages (DMSMS) represents both a threat to mission capability as well as a large expenditure to maintain aging military weapon systems. As the primary manager of Federal Stock Classes 5961 and 5962, the Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) confronts the largest number of DMSMS cases. Their resolution of DMSMS cases affects nearly every fielded weapon system. This thesis sought to determine if the management strategy used by the DSCC could be improved. A qualitative case study design was used to collect and evaluate the data for this effort. The products produced for the sponsor were a cross-functional process map of their DMSMS management strategy and an updated supplement to Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Regulation 4005.6 Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materiel Shortages (DMSMS) Program. Based on the evaluation of the process, the researcher's recommendations for improvement are to focus on primary output and work to decrease the call for secondary output, perform "as-requested" services for non-DSCC items, reduce the bureaucracy between DSCC and the services' Engineering Support Agencies, and provide case resolution information to the customer.