The Army Needs More Comprehensive Evaluations To Make Effective Use of Its Weapon System Testing
NSIAD-84-40
Published: Feb 24, 1984. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 1984.
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Highlights
Evaluations of development and operational tests are used to assess the progress of new weapon systems as they proceed through development. As part of its continuing assessment of major weapon system acquisition management, GAO reviewed the Army evaluation process and discussed improvements that could better inform decisionmakers about a system's progress in development and operational effectiveness.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Army should seek the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council decisionmakers' concurrence on critical issues that are to be evaluated for each proposed weapon system. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Army should transmit these issues to the pertinent Army test evaluation and analysis organizations so that they can be addressed in the test reports and analyses which they will be providing for inclusion in the overall evaluation of new systems. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | The Army should prepare, for critical major acquisition decision points, a comprehensive evaluation of the weapon system under review by integrating the reports and analyses of the individual test evaluation and analysis organizations. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Army | One of the three main Army analysis organizations should assume the role of spokesman for the test evaluation and analysis organizations at the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council and before other decisionmaking bodies. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Army has decided to have the Operational Test and Evaluation Agency assume the role of spokesperson for the test evaluation and analysis organizations at the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council.
|
| Department of the Army | The Army should make the Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity responsible for providing risk assessments to the decisionmakers. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Defense procurementEvaluation methodsSystems evaluationTestingWeapons systemsSystems testingMilitary forcesOperational testingLogisticsDevelopmental testing