Defense Science Board (February 2006); Transformation: a Progress Assessment, Volume I.

In a February 2006 memorandum to Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Kenneth J. Krieg, Defense Science Board Chairman Dr. William Schneider Jr., has forwarded Volume I of the Final Report of the DSB 2005 Summer Study on "Transformation: A Progress Assessment" <http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports.htm>. Volume I of the study, which was chaired by retired Air Force Gen. Larry Welch and Dr. Robert Hermann, assessed the Department of Defense's progress towards transformation, concentrating on identifying objectives and recommending actions to meet emerging challenges. Volume II, which is nearing a final draft, will be the study's sub-panel reports.

According to the report, the Department of Defense has succeeded in producing revolutionary changes in its ability to perform major combat operations through evolutionary improvements, as demonstrated in recent conflicts. DoD has improved its adaptation in other operational capabilities by leveraging valuable combat experienced personnel. Of concern, however, DoD has produced little change or improvement in the business practices of the enterprise, namely a requirement to align the major DoD entities, develop a multi-year business plan, and reform the acquisition process. The report also addresses other areas of concern that could potentially impact a successful DoD transformation: Joint Concept Development, human resources, our deficiency of multi-agency campaign planning, and future challenges for the defense industry.

Endorsing the Task Force's recommendations, Schneider said that their observations and recommendations have been consistent with the previous DSB studies and, if implemented, will improve the Department's transition to an organization adapted to meet the challenges of the 21st century.