Helping Defense Programs Get on the Software Acquisition Pathway

Department of War (DoW) programs adopting the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) face many decisions about how to adapt their acquisition practices. In 2025, the SEI began developing the Software Acquisition Go Bag series of resource guides that provide actionable guidance for any program seeking to advance its software acquisition practices, as well as for industry enterprises looking to better support mission partners. The first installments of the Go Bag have been released in the SWP Essentials Kit, a set of resource guides to help defense programs overcome barriers and challenges when implementing the SWP in their unique environments.

Renewed Urgency for Faster Software Delivery

The SWP requires the use of current software tools and practices, such as iterative and incremental Agile software development, to speed delivery of software-enabled capability to the warfighter. Last March, the Secretary of War directed all DoW components to adopt the SWP as the preferred pathway for acquiring software. But implementing the SWP looks different for different programs, depending on their missions and environments.

The first Software Acquisition Go Bag release, SWP Essentials Kit, provides resources for programs new to the SWP. Alongside a guide to pathway basics, the kit includes two tactical guides. SWP: Ready, Set, Go! provides a mechanism for assessing a program’s readiness to adopt the SWP, identifying any shortfalls, and obtaining resources, information, and support. Cracking the CNS Code gives tips for crafting an effective capability needs statement (CNS). The kit also includes videos and presentations.

Tools for Seven Types of Users

Go Bag kits are curated collections of short tactical guides and supplements about specific acquisition topics in modern acquisition, software development, and deployment practices. Individual resources are keyed to seven types of Go Bag users: program office team members, sponsors, decision authorities, certification authorities, software end users, product teams, and test and evaluation personnel. Go Bag users can configure kits to match their mission contexts. The Go Bag resources will expand continually based on user and community feedback.

The Go Bag provides data-driven, proven practices for developing and implementing software acquisition strategies that align with modern engineering practice.

Eileen Wrubel

Technical Director of Smart Software Acquisition, SEI Software Solutions Division

“Software development organizations now have great flexibility and fast-changing technology, but there are no tried-and-true paths to success for defense programs looking to break away from legacy acquisition methods,” said Eileen Wrubel, technical director of smart software acquisition in the SEI’s Software Solutions Division (SSD). “The Go Bag provides data-driven, proven practices for developing and implementing software acquisition strategies that align with modern engineering practice. The guidance helps stakeholders get the right information for their specific program, capability, and technology.”

Wrubel emphasized that the Go Bag can help defense programs acquiring software-enabled capabilities whether they are on the SWP or seeking to improve acquisition practices while using one of the other five Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways. “Any stakeholder in a software acquisition project can use the Go Bag, whether they’re a DoW program office, system users, another federal agency, or a commercial enterprise looking to be a better mission partner.”

Seeking Community Feedback

The SEI’s background readied it for this moment. The institute has four decades of research across software engineering disciplines, the status of a trusted broker between industry and government, and expertise integrating empirical analysis with software engineering and acquisition science. SEI experts contributed to a foundational study behind the SWP and to the policy itself, which the Pentagon issued in 2020. “Our team has helped hundreds of DoW programs implement practical, effective engineering and acquisition programs,” said Brigid O’Hearn, the SEI’s DoW software modernization policy lead. “We’re excited to share the lessons we’ve learned with Go Bag users.”

The SEI invites the acquisition community, whether in defense, intelligence, or industry, to shape future Go Bag offerings. Users can submit ideas and feedback via the Go Bag team’s online contact form or during their live webcasts, which will follow new releases.

Download Go Bag assets and learn more about the project and the SWP on the Go Bag web page. Give feedback via the Go Bag contact form. Stay up to date on the latest Go Bag releases by subscribing to the project’s mailing list.