This Handbook is a guide for the management of joint acquisition programs for current and future joint program personnel. As a complement to the more general Introduction to Defense Acquisition Management, Sixth Edition (Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Press, November 2003), this Handbook incorporates the perspectives of current and former joint Program Managers (PMs), including those who were members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)-sponsored Joint Program Working Group (JPWG), which met at DAU in November 2003.

This is a practical and easily accessible guide for those new to the joint environment and staff assignments. With input from serving action officers and senior leaders, here are the competencies and behaviors of highly effective and successful joint staff officers which provide a roadmap for career self development. This is the most current joint information available for managing staff activities.