United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2005-04-28 monographic deposited born digital 37 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-629T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T P0b002ee18039cf8b f:d05629t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T GAO-05-629T Defense cost control Financial management Fiscal policies Internal controls Investment planning Investments Program evaluation Program management Risk management Strategic planning Business operations DOD Airborne Laser Program DOD National Security Personnel System F-22 Raptor Aircraft F/A-22 Aircraft Space-Based Infrared System Testimony A22857 In addition to external security threats, our nation is threatened from within by growing fiscal imbalances. The combination of additional demands for national and homeland security resources, the long-term rate of growth of entitlement programs, and rising health care costs create the need to make difficult choices about the affordability and sustainability of the recent growth in defense spending. At a time when the Department of Defense (DOD) is challenged to maintain a high level of military operations while competing for resources in an increasingly fiscally constrained environment, DOD's business management weaknesses continue to result in billions in annual waste, as well as reduced efficiencies and effectiveness. Congress asked GAO to provide its views on (1) the fiscal trends that prompt real questions about the affordability and sustainability of the rate of growth of defense spending, (2) business management challenges that DOD needs to address to successfully transform its business operations, and (3) key elements for achievement of reforms. One key element would be to establish a full-time chief management official (CMO) to take the lead in DOD for the overall business transformation effort. In this regard, we support the need for legislation to create a CMO in DOD with "good government" responsibilities that are professional and nonpartisan in nature, coupled with an adequate term in office. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T.pdf GAO-05-629T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-629T Testimony GAO-05-629T; Defense Management: Key Elements Needed to Successfully Transform DOD Business Operations; Defense cost control Financial management Fiscal policies Internal controls Investment planning Investments Program evaluation Program management Risk management Strategic planning Business operations DOD Airborne Laser Program DOD National Security Personnel System F-22 Raptor Aircraft F/A-22 Aircraft Space-Based Infrared System Volume 118 Page 1811 118 Stat. 1811 Public Law 108-136 Public Law 108-375