**GAO-08-1060**                      Published: Sep 25, 2008. Publicly Released: Sep 25, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

Increasing combat demands and fiscal constraints make it critical for the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that its weapon system investments not only meet the needs of the warfighter, but make the most efficient use of available resources. GAO's past work has shown that achieving this balance has been a challenge and weapon programs have often experienced cost growth and delayed delivery to the warfighter. In 2003, DOD implemented the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) to prioritize and ensure that the warfighter's most essential needs are met. In response to Senate Report 109-69, GAO reported in March 2007 that DOD lacks an effective approach to balance its weapon system investments with available resources. This follow-on report focuses on (1) whether the JCIDS process has achieved its objective to prioritize joint warfighting needs and (2) factors that have affected DOD's ability to effectively implement JCIDS. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed JCIDS guidance and capability documents and budgetary and programming data on major weapon systems, and interviewed DOD officials.

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## Topics

National Defense

Allocation (Government accounting)Cost analysisDefense budgetsDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningDefense economic analysisDefense industryDefense operationsDefense procurementMilitary forcesProcurementProcurement planningProcurement practicesSchedule slippagesStrategic forcesStrategic planningSystems analysisSystems evaluationSystems managementWarfareWeaponsWeapons systemsDefense cost controlCost estimatesCost growthPolicies and procedures