Defense News reports that “in the 1960s the Department of Defense put in place the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting system as its mechanism for allocating scarce resources. In 2003 DoD added “execution” to the name of the system, making it the Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) system. Despite the new name, critics have asserted that the ‘E’ in PPBE is essentially silent. DoD, they argue, does not systematically manage the execution of its funds.”

“The truth is more complicated, at least based on my 12 years of experience running Air Force and later DoD-wide finances. In my view the ‘E’ in PPBE is not silent, but sometimes it only whispers.”

“There will soon be an opportunity to do better. In February 2017 current law requires that DoD establish a new under secretary for business management and information. Improving execution management should be one focus for the new office.”