DOD Manufacturing Technology Program--Management Is Improving But Benefits Hard To Measure
NSIAD-85-5
Published: Nov 30, 1984. Publicly Released: Nov 30, 1984.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the level of success of the Department of Defense's (DOD) Manufacturing Technology (MT) Program, which was established to improve defense productivity and reduce acquisition costs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected Sort descending | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should, to provide the basis for effective, consistent MT program evaluations, develop a policy specifying how and when projects should be evaluated, incorporate the policy into DOD program guidance, and monitor the services to ensure that the program evaluations are systematically made. |
Closed – Implemented
The policy has been issued and monitoring requirements established. The accuracy of data submitted in the future and effectiveness of the monitoring is questionable.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should establish specific target dates for attaining completion of the two DOD management initiatives aimed at improving Office of the Secretary of Defense leadership and oversight. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should encourage greater use of the results of successful projects in defense production by: (1) establishing a DOD-wide system that requires acquisition managers and other appropriate parties, before projects are funded, to be aware of the anticipated benefits of proposed projects and to express a willingness to use the results; and (2) annually surveying selected DOD contractors for 5 years after completion of successful management technology projects to determine whether implementation in defense production actually occurs as intended. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD does require, in an instruction issued May 24, 1985: (1) a plan for implementation before projects are approved; and (2) managers to maintain data on implemented projects. The implementation plan is not well-defined. If done well, DOD may go beyond the second part of this recommendation.
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Topics
Contract costsContract oversightCost analysisDefense cost controlDefense procurementDepartment of Defense contractorsFinancial managementProcurement policyProgram evaluationTechnology transfer