PANACEA OR PANDORA BOX - THE PROGRAM MANAGER REFORM

Reform is the primary focus of this article, which points out that alt hough perfecting the way we govern ourselves has been a consistent ten dency in the twentieth century, we know little about the effectiveness of these efforts. Using the acquisition of major weapon systems in th e Department of Defense as its case in point, this article examines on e reform initiative from the standpoint of its relevance and effect on the governmental operations with which it is concerned It argues that this investigation demonstrates two factors that hamper meaningful re form: the complexity of government bureaucracies and the general lack of knowledge concerning their operations.