As a result, CIM's funding was under constant attack early in the Clinton tenure. As a result, plans to standardize architecture and interoperability throughout the Pentagon were critically hindered, says Strassmann. The lesson, Strassmann and others say, is that the linchpin for success within any major redirection of a large and complex organization is strong and committed high-level support. You also need to be able to measure whether you have achieved what you said you planned to. And, you need education.
People have to understand what is trying to be accomplished.
The Perry funding-cut directive was reportedly drafted by Lt. Gen. Paige, who, despite being criticized in some circles for pulling back on comprehensive CIM efforts, appears to be leading the DoD push toward the BPR components of the program. This redirection has rekindled congressional support. Capitol Hill has shown deep interest in several DoD BPR projects, including an initiative to revamp the Defense Investigative Service's personnel security clearance checks, which total nearly one million each year. The term CIM may carry a certain amount of baggage. But maybe that was the parent and the parent passes away and the child moves on.