Defense Reform Initiative PDF Download

The Defense Reform Initiative (DRI) represents an important set of actions aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Defense's (DOD) business operations. This letter responds to your request for information to supplement our recently issued report on the DRI effort. As you requested, we are providing additional information on the performance measures DOD has in place to track the progress of the DRI. Specifically, this report addresses (1) types of performance measures used to track progress toward achieving DRI program goals, (2) opportunities to add or improve on existing performance measures, and (3) performance measurement limitations. Where appropriate, we have updated the status of individual initiatives included in the DM. As agreed with your office, this report only focuses on initiatives originally included in the DRI program. Further information on our scope and methodology are included in appendix I. In general, DOD uses two types of performance measures to help gauge DRI progress-output and outcome measures Output measures provide status information about an initiative or program in terms of completing an action in a specified time frame. Outcome-oriented measures show results or outcomes related to an initiative or program in terms of its effectiveness, efficiency, and/or impact.