Technical Risk Assessment: The Status of Current DOD Efforts

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) procedures and practices for risk assessment in connection with major weapons systems procurement. GAO reviewed the 25 program offices responsible for conducting risk assessments.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should define technical risk and categories for rating risk.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should require that risk efforts focus explicitly on technical risk and be prospective, planned, and repeated at least twice, early and late, in each acquisition phase.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should require program management offices to document their risk assessment procedures and results.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should establish guidelines regarding options for format for rating risks, scope, data collection, and assessment approaches.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should require that technical risk information that program offices or contractors require for review include a description of format, scope, data collection, sources of risk information, and assessment approaches.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.
Department of Defense	To improve technical risk assessment concepts and procedures, the Secretary of Defense should provide more focused training in technical risk assessment.	Closed – Implemented DOD actions include: (1) preparation of a risk assessment handbook; (2) a review of its training in technical risk assessment; and (3) a review of relevant regulations. No further action is required or anticipated.

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