Launching the Creative Defense Network
Acquire Better Capabilities Faster Across the DoW
If you’ve followed Defense Tech and Acquisition, you know we don’t just analyze the defense acquisition system, we’ve spent our careers trying to transform it. From congressional panels, think tank commissions, thought pieces, direct advocacy with leaders, and serving on USD(A&S) enabling teams, we’ve been pushing for years to move acquisition into the 21st century.
We’re proud to see our efforts deploying the Adaptive Acquisition Framework and drafting policy and guidance for the Middle Tier of Acquisition and Software Acquisition pathways accelerate capability delivery but know there’s a long way to go.
That is why we left our roles at leading defense tech companies to found the Creative Defense Network (CDN) to see acquisition transformation through this next exciting phase that is underway across the DoW.
CDN is a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to enabling the acquisition transformation through the use of practical tools, training, and services.
It is co-founded in partnership with the non-profit Creative Defense Foundation which uniquely positions us to drive change across government and industry alike. We have a shared mission of harnessing entrepreneurial innovation and creative disruption for our common defense.
Our distinguished board includes:
Richard Carroll, Chairman of Creative Defense Foundation
The Honorable Ellen Lord, former USD(A&S) and Textron CEO
ADM John Richardson, USN (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Operations.
Who We Work With
CDN works directly with the professionals driving this transformation: Portfolio Acquisition Executives standing up new portfolio structures, Service Acquisition Executives reshaping their enterprise, Rapid Capabilities Offices harnessing new tech, and program offices navigating novel authorities to get capabilities to the warfighter.
Bring Us On!
If you’re in a PAE shop or program office, reach out if you need:
Ninja Acquisition Support — 1 day to 2-week sprints
Portfolio Management — Tools, Training, and Guidance
Short Studies or Assessments — flexible duration
Red Team Evaluations — short-term sprints
Acquisition Workshops — virtual or in-person
Acquisition-Focused Venture Capital — Tools, Training, and Guidance
If you’re in industry and want to deep dive into acquisition topics or a quick primer:
Get access to Digital Pentagon, our enterprise knowledge platform to deftly navigate the complex defense ecosystem.
Schedule an educational session on leading defense acquisition topics.
To maintain our focus on supporting the government workforce, we are not taking on direct consulting assignments from industry.
Thank You!
To All Acquisition Professionals: Thank you for what you do every day to make the nation safer and deliver new capabilities to our warfighters.
To All New Defense Industry Entrants: Thank you for taking the leap and bringing your skills and knowledge to the DoD to solve the hardest national security problems.
We look forward to working with all of you to strengthen our national security!
Congratulations to the two of you for making this new leap! Guaranteed to make a significant impact on defense acquisition. Thanks for continuing to talk the talk and walk the walk.
Wow, Guys! BZ, fair winds, and following seas. Sure hope this doesn't mean you will stop publishing DTA for us all to continue sharing in your wisdom!