Cynthia R. Cook

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Director, Acquisition and Technology Policy Center, RAND National Defense Research Institute; Senior Management Scientist; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in sociology, Harvard University; B.S. in management, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Overview

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Research Specialist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Recent Projects

  • Acquisition policy and cyber acquisition
  • Weapon systems sustainment, including contractor logistics support
  • Science and technology policy
  • Implementation of organizational change

Selected Publications

Michael Boito, Cynthia R. Cook, John C. Graser, Contractor Logistics Support in the U.S. Air Force, RAND Corporation (MG-779-AF), 2009

Obaid Younossi et al., Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems, RAND Corporation (MG-690-AF), 2008

Frank Camm, Cynthia R. Cook, Ralph Masi, Anny Wong, What the Army Needs to Know to Align Its Operational and Institutional Activities, RAND Corporation (MG-530-A), 2007

Cynthia R. Cook et al., Assembling and Supporting the Joint Strike Fighter in the UK: Issues and Costs, RAND Corporation (MR-1771-MOD), 2005

Mark A. Lorell et al., Price-Based Acquisition: Issues and Challenges for Defense Department Procurement of Weapons Systems, RAND Corporation (MG-337-AF), 2005

Cynthia R. Cook et al., Rethinking How the Air Force Manages Sustainment Surge, RAND Corporation (MG-372-AF), 2005

Honors & Awards

  • President's Award, RAND Corporation
  • Silver Medal Award, RAND Corporation

Publications

The Air Force's Experience with Should-Cost Reviews and Options for Enhancing Its Capability to Conduct Them - 2012

A Methodology for Comparing Costs and Benefits of Management Alternatives for F-22 Sustainment - 2011

Managing Air Force Joint Expeditionary Taskings in an Uncertain Environment - 2011

Sexual Orientation and U.S. Military Personnel Policy: An Update of RAND's 1993 Study - 2010

Sexual Orientation and U.S. Personnel Policy Revisited - 2010

Contractor Logistics Support in the U.S. Air Force - 2009

Improving the Cost Estimation of Space Systems: Past Lessons and Future Recommendations - 2008

What the Army Needs to Know to Align Its Operational and Institutional Activities - 2007

What the Army Needs to Know to Align Its Operational and Institutional Activities: Executive Summary - 2007

Commercial Purchasing and Supply Management Practices Can Help the Air Force Reduce Costs - 2006

Can the United Kingdom Rebuild Its Naval Fleet? Challenges and Opportunities for the UK Shipbuilding Industrial Base, 2005-2020 - 2005

Price-Based Acquisition: Issues and Challenges for Defense Department Procurement of Weapon Systems - 2005

Price-Based Acquisition May Have Only Limited Benefits for the Purchase of Major Weapon Systems - 2005

Rethinking How the Air Force Views Sustainment Surge - 2005

The Air Force Should Rethink Its Plan for Sustainment Surge - 2005

The United Kingdom’s Naval Shipbuilding Industrial Base: The Next Fifteen Years - 2005

The United Kingdom’s Nuclear Submarine Industrial Base, Volume 2: Ministry of Defence Roles and Required Technical Resources - 2005

Using a Spend Analysis to Help Identify Prospective Air Force Purchasing and Supply Management Initiatives: Summary of Selected Findings - 2004

Assembling and Supporting the Joint Strike Fighter in the UK: Issues and Costs - 2003

Final Assembly and Checkout Alternatives for the Joint Strike Fighter - 2002

Implementing Best Purchasing and Supply Management Practices: Lessons from Innovative Commercial Firms - 2002

Assessing Competitive Strategies for the Joint Strike Fighter: Opportunities and Options - 2001

Lean Manufacturing and the Defense Industry: Lessons for Cost Analysts - 2001

Military Airframe Acquisition Costs: The Effects of Lean Manufacturing - 2001

Principles for Determining the Air Force Active/Reserve Mix - 1999