The Contribution of Systems Research to Long-Range Planning in the Defense Industry

Industrial long-range planning requires forecasts of market requirements, business environments and corporate (or divisional) capabilities. This article concerns itself with the problem of forecasting weapon markets. The needs for such forecasts are discussed and it is shown that mere reliance on official military plans, programs, statements, and “requirements” is a poor guide for long-range planning in the defense industry. It is further shown how system research studies can improve the forecasts sought. The proper conduct of such long-range-planning-oriented studies is outlined in some detail.

Management Technology, ISSN 0542-4917, was published as a separate journal from 1960 to 1964. In 1965 it was merged into Management Science.