Joint Staff Lacks Reliable Data on the Effectiveness of Its Revised Joint Approval Process

The Department of Defense (DOD) sets the foundation of its weapon system acquisitions in documented requirements for new or enhanced capabilities. DOD’s Joint Staff uses the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process to manage the review and approval of capability requirements documents. The Joint Requirements Oversight Council oversees the process.

Effectively and efficiently identifying and documenting military capability requirements are critical to establishing achievable cost, schedule, and performance goals for developing and fielding weapon systems. By developing a plan to address the data reliability problems with the JCIDS information system, the Joint Staff will be better positioned to assess the effectiveness of revisions to the JCIDS process. This paper discusses how establishing a baseline that is informed by reliable data and accounts for these issues, as well as a process for comparing actual results against that baseline, could help the Joint Staff revise its guidance and expectations.