Speed, Flexibility, and Transparency: Surveying Budget Execution Methodologies to Better Support Emerging Technologies

Abstract

The Department of War’'s ability to develop and field emerging technologies at the pace of modern threats depends on the deliberate and intentional use of existing financial management authorities and budget execution methodologies rather than the creation of entirely new ones. This paper examines how the Department can best develop and field new and constantly evolving technologies within existing options while remaining consistent with congressional appropriators' oversight responsibilities. Drawing on interviews with former Pentagon and Congressional officials, the paper evaluates key budget execution methodologies across four metrics: speed, flexibility, transparency to congressional appropriators, and transparency to industry. Findings reveal that the most significant barriers to execution speed are relational rather than structural, rooted in eroded trust between the Appropriations Committees and the Pentagon. The paper identifies a range of available authorities, programs, accounts, and funding that offer meaningful flexibility when properly understood and applied. The paper concludes with six recommendations that target specific friction points where budget execution methodologies could be expanded, clarified, or more effectively applied to improve outcomes.