GAO: DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: DOD’s Requirements Determination Process Has Not Been Effective in Prioritizing Joint Capabilities

GAO: DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: DOD’s Requirements Determination Process Has Not Been Effective in Prioritizing Joint Capabilities

Highlights of GAO-08-1060, a report to the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate

Increasing combat demands and fiscal constraints make it critical for the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that its weapon system investments not only meet the needs of the warfighter, but make the most efficient use of available resources. GAO’s past work has shown that achieving this balance has been a challenge and weapon programs have often experienced cost growth and delayed delivery to the warfighter.

In 2003, DOD implemented the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) to prioritize and ensure that the warfighter’s most essential needs are met. In response to Senate Report 109-69, GAO reported in March 2007 that DOD lacks an effective approach to balance its weapon system investments with available resources.

This follow-on report focuses on (1) whether the JCIDS process has achieved its objective to prioritize joint warfighting needs and (2) factors that have affected DOD’s ability to effectively implement JCIDS. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed JCIDS guidance and capability documents and budgetary and programming data on major weapon systems, and interviewed DOD officials.

What GAO Recommends
GAO is recommending actions aimed at improving DOD’s ability to prioritize joint capability needs. DOD generally concurred, but believes that current processes and resources in the department are sufficient for doing this.

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