Red, But More Expert: The Evolution of China’s “Two Chiefs†Program Manager System

STUDY OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN CHINA RESEARCH BRIEF 2015-4 January 2015 Red, But More Expert: The Evolution of China’s “Two Chiefs” Program Manager System Kevin POLLPETER T his research brief examines the role of project management in China’s defense research and development system, in particular its chief commander and chief designer system. Spurred on by technical failures over a 50-year period, China’s space program leaders sought to address deficiencies by instituting reforms that gradually exerted more control and fostered better coordination. In doing so, China’s space program has clarified the chain of command and reduced the role of pure political and administrative leaders in favor of managers who are both technically and managerially competent. The study concludes that for large defense programs to be successful, a strong systems management approach is required that entrusts a single person with the authority to run the program. In making this conclusion, it finds that since the 1950s China’s defense research and development (R&D) management structure has moved to increase the authority of its program managers. This study aslo concludes that effective communication and coordination of knowledge flows facilitated by a single program office is essential to the success of large-scale R&D programs. The Study of Innovation and Technology in China (SITC) is a project of the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation. SITC Research Briefs provide analysis and recommendations based on the work of project participants. Author’s views are their own. This material is based upon work supported by, or in part by, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army Research Office through the Minerva Initiative under grant #W911NF-09-1-0081. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army Research Office.