About one third of DON money is spent on programs to develop and acquire new capabilities, or modernize existing capabilities. JMA assessments determine those systems the Navy needs to be effective, and those systems which may represent redundant capability. The JMAs and SAs are also charged with examining the costs of operating and supporting capabilities within their area. The Assessment Division, N81, oversees the assessment process for N8 and provides analytical resources to support the efforts of the JMA and SA assessment teams. This assessment process maintains a joint perspective and specifically evaluates the complementary contributions of other services and defense agencies.
Considerable effort is invested in ensuring the assessments result in consensus.
The continuous refinement of DON's program requires the meticulous balancing of a wide variety of resource requirements. Assessments provide a continuous review of Navy capabilities and resource requirements in specific joint mission and support areas. The process is iterative, and continuously refined to ensure it addresses emerging operational requirements, evolving naval strategies, and fiscal reality. The objective of the assessment process is an integrated investment strategy. The R3B is the focal point of the assessment process.