McNamara

Robert McNamara was a prominent American business executive and Secretary of Defense during the 1960s. He is best known for applying systems analysis and data-driven decision-making to military strategy and policy during the Vietnam War, aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness. His approach emphasized careful analysis, planning, and measurable outcomes, but his strategies and assumptions faced significant criticism for their inability to achieve desired results and for escalating conflict. McNamara's work highlights the challenges of applying managerial and analytical methods to complex, large-scale military and policy issues.