The DSARC and PPBS decision making process within DOD

Abstract

The process of acquiring major weapon systems is the largest, most complex and dollar consuming process in the Department of Defense. The cycle from concept to delivery may require five to ten years. Consequently, decision­ making responsibility for these systems rests with the highest organization levels in the DOD. Within the parameters of complex constraints and pressures, two major pro­cesses occur simultaneously: (1) the Defense Systems Acquisition Review Council (DSARC)--the acquisition process and (2) the Planning, Programming and Budgeting System (PPBS)--the funding process. An understanding of the inter- relationship between the DSARC and PPBS process is believed to be the key to the development of a framework for compre­hending decisions concerning major weapon systems. The ideas presented in this thesis are intended to provide that understanding.