Driving innovation and eff ectiveness in the defence sector A study of success factors

Diggerworks 1 2 Our nation has an obligation to provide our defence personnel, and the combat soldier in particular, with the equipment and systems that best meet the demands of their challenging and often dangerous roles. Their courage and professionalism in the face of extreme threats is a source of national pride and gratitude. We are committed to equipping them with the tools they need to do what they do best. The various groups that maintain and modernise the capabilities of the Australian Defence Force are continually striving to provide its personnel with a capability edge. The increasing complexity of modern systems, coupled with the evolving nature of the threats faced, makes capability modernisation a diffi cult and demanding task. Introducing new technologies to help soldiers to better perform their role, without adding to their burden, is an ongoing challenge. The establishment of Diggerworks and its subsequent achievements illustrates the value of partnership in pursuit of the shared objective of maintaining the soldier's edge. This report brings out many insights gained in the process that have underpinned the accelerated delivery and integration of a soldier system that is being continually adapted to the evolving needs of the soldier. The challenge does not stop here. Defence personnel continue to face shifting demands and emerging threats. It is important that we build on the lessons gained through the formation and function of Diggerworks and apply them to other relevant areas of Defence. Diggerworks has revolutionised the way Defence equips its soldiers for combat. The establishment of Diggerworks has allowed Army, the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation to work collaboratively to provide today's front line soldiers with outstanding equipment. It has coordinated the application of an adaptive approach to modernising capability, based on harnessing user feedback, developing innovative solutions and delivering highly functional equipment. This equipment provides protection whilst allowing soldiers to do their job and it is amongst the best equipment issued to soldiers in any Army anywhere in the world. Diggerworks represents a true partnership between the participating organisations: Army, the Capability Development Group, the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. We believe that there are signifi cant lessons from the Diggerworks experience that can be applied more broadly to other relevant areas of Defence. This report provides an independent expert review of the factors that contributed to Diggerworks' success and we …