2.5 The Project Data Summary Sheets (PDSS) (refer Part 3) have reaffirmed several challenges facing major projects, as reported in previous MPRs. The main challenges include:
• Employing and maintaining an appropriately skilled workforce. This is particularly important for projects (for example Air Warfare Destroyer and FFG Upgrade projects) where the skills required are in high demand by other Australian industries. This strategic risk is being addressed through the DMO's Industry support and skilling initiatives.
• Acquiring new equipment presents multiple integration challenges for projects, and existing platforms, including: electronic systems, training and support systems (for example Air Warfare Destroyer, LHD Ships, Wedgetail, MRH90 Helicopters, Air to Air Refuelling, HF Modernisation, Additional Chinook, Stand Off Weapon, ANZAC ASMD 2B, and Battlefield Command Support).
• Overestimating by contractors of the technical maturity of proposed equipment solutions and underestimating the level of effort and complexity required to deliver new equipment including: integration, training packages, publications, spare parts and certification processes (for example; Wedgetail, MRH90 Helicopters, ARH Tiger Helicopters, Air to Air Refuelling and Bushmaster Vehicles).
• The unavailability of in-service equipment, due to operational requirements, may limit the ability of projects to install and test new or upgrade equipment in accordance with the original planned project schedule (for example MRH90 Helicopters, HF Modernisation, Collins RCS, Hw Torpedo and Collins R&S).
• Accelerating the maturity of the maintenance operations and supply chains for new equipment to support the transition to in-service use by ADF units (for example Super Hornet, ARH Tiger Helicopters, C-17 Heavy Airlift and ANZAC ASMD 2A).
• Managing the expectations of our customers on changes to Government approved scope based on contemporary expectations and requirements that may affect project cost and schedule. Some of these changes may result from recent operational experience (for example Air Warfare Destroyer, Overlander Vehicles, Joint Strike Fighter, Collins Replacement Combat System and Stand Off Weapon).
• Complying with increasingly demanding certification and regulatory requirements including emerging requirements (for example MRH90 Helicopters, LHD Ships, Joint Strike Fighter, Air to Air Refuelling, Armidales, Hw Torpedo and Stand Off Weapon).
• Ensuring access to Intellectual Property to enable continued further enhancement and improvement of systems. This also has implications for the integration of new capabilities with existing systems (for example LHD Ships, Hornet Upgrade, FFG Upgrade and Stand Off Weapon).