DOD Business Systems Modernization: Additional Action Needed to Achieve Intended Outcomes

Abstract : GAO designated DOD s multibillion dollar business systems modernization program as high risk in 1995, and since then has provided a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening its institutional approach to modernizing its business systems investments. Section 332 of the NDAA for fiscal year 2005, as amended, requires the department to take specific actions consistent with GAO s prior recommendations and included a provision for GAO to review DOD s efforts. In addition, the Senate Armed Services Committee Report for the NDAA for fiscal year 2015 included a provision for GAO to evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of DOD s business enterprise architecture and business process reengineering processes. This report addresses both of those provisions. In evaluating the department s compliance, GAO analyzed DOD s efforts to address open recommendations made in previous reviews. To evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of the department s business enterprise architecture and business process reengineering processes, GAO surveyed the military department portfolio managers (24 in total) and interviewed officials. The response rate for the survey was 100 percent, making the results of the survey generalizable. GAO recommends that DOD utilize the results of the survey to determine additional actions that can improve management of its business process reengineering and enterprise architecture activities. DOD concurred with the recommendation.