The upcoming PBL 2012 Performance-Based Life-cycle Product Support Conference, July 16-18th, Washington DC. (www.pblusa.com) promises to provide interesting and thought-provoking sessions.  We know that PBL works in lowering overall costs over a long term contract. Operations also target improved reliability and maintainability. But how come some Programs and PBL-structured contracts succeed better than others?  How can PBL's be structured and operated to help ensure success?

Both Government and industry representatives will be discussing recommendations regarding designing for improved reliability and total ownership cost reductions.  Lessons learned will be shared as well how to use the right metrics to properly incentivize performance. Besides hearing case studies on successful PBLs, new strategic avenues are being tried, ones that promise to shift the scope of PBL into the strategy's next evolution.

Look here for a post-conference update for highlights.