Acquisition reform has been a hot topic for years, yet initiatives that can deliver sustained, positive changes to the acquisition process and produce a more efficient workforce remain elusive. The acquisition system is frequently characterized as time‐consuming, resource‐intensive, bureaucratic and non‐responsive to the mission. The purpose of this panel is not to “curse the darkness” but to identify concrete proposals and actions that can be implemented without changes to legislation or regulations, within the authorities that agencies have today. The panel will discuss opportunities to introduce agile and adaptive methods that will reduce acquisition timelines, minimize the time from “identification of need” to “capability delivery,” and address the skillset gap between the acquisition workforce and the missions they support.