DOD Acquisition Information Management

Abstract : DoD acquisition information management was reviewed as a part of our ongoing audit of the milestone review process for Component-managed acquisition programs. The audit assessed the adequacy of the information provided to DoD Component milestone decision authorities in support of major milestone and program reviews and evaluated internal controls related to the objective. Information management within the DoD acquisition system needs improvement. DoD acquisition information management is fragmented among the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Military Departments and by program acquisition categories. Periodic program performance measurement and status reporting is required only on major Defense acquisition programs. As a result, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, and program executive officials relied excessively on program reviews and briefings instead of on a real-time management information flow. The process of identifying risks and implementing corrective actions is lengthened by using the current system; performance measurement and reporting are impeded.