The Commission on Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) Reform recently issued a March 2023 status update of interest to members of the defense acquisition workforce. The update reminds readers, “nothing from this report shall be construed as a recommendation from the Commission”, nor should any “…concerns or ideas be taken as recommendations for policy changes. A few product support and sustainment related comments captured by the commission include:

• “More transparency in Operation and Maintenance funding requests is required. Relevant numbers don’t appear in the Future Years Defense Program and are not organized by major weapon systems like the Investment accounts.”
• “Some (of those interviewed) expressed the view that the PPBE process enables the planned delivery of resources in a coordinated manner – ensuring, for example, that a new weapon system is supported by an appropriately trained workforce, needed facilities, and an effective supply and sustainment system.”
• “Others argued that efforts to engage in long-range planning have the effect of locking in funding years in advance, impeding innovation and adaptive response to emerging sufficient flexibility to provide for innovation and address emergent requirements if that flexibility is properly applied.”
• “The best defense resource allocation system would provide flexible money when needed, with limited oversight when appropriate.”
• “The best system would consistently empower decision-makers at critical levels of the process, surrounding them with small teams of talented experts to make smarter and more timely decisions on a consistent basis.”