Innovative Ideas and Insights for Improving Program Resourcing across Seams

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) has three decision support systems that must be synchronized to deliver capabilities at the right time: the Requirements; Acquisition; and Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) systems. PPBE is calendar driven, but both the requirements and acquisition processes, which are dependent on PPBE, are activity driven. Collectively, these three systems are sometimes called “Big A” Acquisition. This paper examines integration, interoperability, and interdependency issues at the seams among these systems. It summarizes research by a panel of experts convened in support of the PPBE Reform Commission. This research included over 50 discussion sessions with current and former executives from government, industry, and academia. This paper identifies key issues at the seams and offers recommendations to complement those of the PPBE Commission.