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Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect

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From the Acquisition Support Program, one in a series of short papers on acquisition patterns of failure.
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Software Engineering Institute

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Abstract

From the Acquisition Support Program, one in a series of short papers on acquisition patterns of failure. When deferred requirements pile up and underestimated complexity surround a project, managers end up riding a bow wave of schedule and delivery complications.

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Patterns of Failure: Acquisition Archetypes
Cite This SEI Report

Software Engineering Institute (2007, October 1). Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect. Retrieved August 14, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/.

@techreport{Citekey_2007,
author={Software Engineering Institute},
title={Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect},
month={Oct},
year={2007},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Aug-14}
}

Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, October 1, 2007. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/.

Software Engineering Institute, "Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-Oct-2007 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/. [Accessed: 14-Aug-2026].

Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Oct. 2007. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Software Engineering Institute. Acquisition Archetypes: The Bow Wave Effect. Software Engineering Institute. 2007. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-the-bow-wave-effect/

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