Navy Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution: A Reference Guide for Senior Leaders, Managers, and Action Officers

Abstract : The Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is time-tested and effective, but it is also complex and challenging for new personnel. Furthermore, the process changes in detail relatively frequently, which means that the contextual materials and instruction provided to new action officers become quickly out of date unless they remain at fairly high levels of abstraction. This guidebook responds to a request from the U.S. Navy to produce a reference guide that documents key but enduring aspects of how the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations implements the PPBE process so that action officers, as well as flag officers and senior executives, can successfully navigate and effectively contribute to the process. This guide particularly emphasizes the planning and programming phases because these usually involve the greatest levels of effort and uncertainty, and because they are central to the principal annual deliverablea coherent, balanced Program Objective Memorandum (POM) in alignment with leaderships guidance. As this report was being prepared for publication, the RAND research team became aware that the Navy is planning some changes to its POM process. This guide is accurate as of December 2015.The guidebook is aimed at action officers, branch heads, newly assigned flag officers and executives in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and outside stakeholder organizations with an interest in the PPBE process and how the Navy executes it.