Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
From the Acquisition Support Program, one in a series of short papers on acquisition patterns of failure.
Acquisition Archetype: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
In today's acquisition environment, where progress is sometimes measured by dollars spent, underspending is not a virtue. In fact, it can lead to having funds shifted to another program.
Part of a Collection
Patterns of Failure: Acquisition Archetypes
Cite This SEI Report
Software Engineering Institute (2009, April 1). Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/.
@techreport{Citekey_2009,
author={Software Engineering Institute},
title={Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul},
month={Apr},
year={2009},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Oct-9}
}
Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, April 1, 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/.
Software Engineering Institute, "Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-Apr-2009 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/. [Accessed: 9-Oct-2026].
Software Engineering Institute. "Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Apr. 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.
Software Engineering Institute. Acquisition Archetypes: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul. Software Engineering Institute. 2009. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/acquisition-archetypes-robbing-peter-to-pay-paul/