Test and Evaluation: The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation's Role in Test Resources
NSIAD-90-128
Published: Aug 27, 1990. Publicly Released: Aug 27, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the tasks of the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), focusing on the Director's: (1) role as chairman of the Test and Evaluation Committee; and (2) use of early operational assessments.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should keep development and operational testing independent and separate by ensuring that the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, provides advice only to those committees or councils that are responsible for the planning, programming, and budgeting of development test resources. |
On December 13, 1991, DOD issued a charter for the Defense Test and Evaluation Steering Group that defines roles and responsibilities for managing test resources within DOD. This charter identifies DOT&E as an advisor to the committee. As a result, DOT&E is not to plan, program, and/or budget for development test resources.
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| Office of the Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation | The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, should perform oversight and policy functions by reviewing test plans and results and making recommendations to the Secretary of Defense so that test resource needs are given appropriate consideration. |
On October 4, 1991, DOT&E informed GAO that its role with respect to test resources is now strictly that of oversight and advice. The services have been assigned full responsibility for test resource budgeting.
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Topics
Agency missionsConflict of interestsDefense procurementMilitary systems analysisPlanning programming budgetingProduct evaluationTestingWeapons research and developmentWeapons systemsDevelopmental testing