Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
From the Acquisition Support Program, one in a series of short papers on acquisition patterns of failure.
Acquisition Archetype: Feeding the Sacred Cow
Some programs take on a life of their own—privileged, and woven into an organization's existence. But when "sacred cow" projects begin to go wrong, that privilege and protection makes fixing them even more difficult.
Part of a Collection
Patterns of Failure: Acquisition Archetypes
Cite This SEI Report
Software Engineering Institute (2008, March 1). Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow. Retrieved August 12, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/.
@techreport{Citekey_2008,
author={Software Engineering Institute},
title={Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow},
month={Mar},
year={2008},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Aug-12}
}
Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, March 1, 2008. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/.
Software Engineering Institute, "Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-Mar-2008 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/. [Accessed: 12-Aug-2026].
Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Mar. 2008. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.
Software Engineering Institute. Acquisition Archetypes: Feeding the Sacred Cow. Software Engineering Institute. 2008. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-feeding-the-sacred-cow/