Accelerating an acquisition program often requires the team to acquire skills which are not needed on slower, more traditional acquisition programs. Fortunately, there are several opportunities to receive additional training on the topic of leadership, culture, and acceleration. In many cases these courses are offered at little to no cost, and can be completed in a few days.

As with any tool or technique, mastering acceleration requires time and practice. But a little time in the schoolhouse can go a long way to helping a team get started.

These courses range from formal academic institutions to DIY courses, depending on the program’s needs and resources. The list below provides links to a few courses and providers:

• Disciplines of Speed (University of Tennessee)
• A Crash Course In Design Thinking (DIY course material from Stanford’s D-School)
• Logistics & innovation courses at The Institute for Defense & Business (UNC Chapel Hill)
• Creativity and Innovation (NASA’s Academy of Program and Project Leadership)
• Hacking for Defense (university sponsored classes that teach students to work with government and corporate sponsors)

Actions You Can Take

• Encourage team members to sign up for additional training.
• Arrange a group training session for the team.
• Take a course yourself and share the lessons with the rest of the team.
• Challenge a team member to research, develop, and deliver a course.
• Commission a new course from one of the providers above.