Report to the Secretary of Defense -- Assessing DoD's Study Information Gap: Optimizing the Electronic Management of DoD-Related Studies
Abstract
The Chairman, Defense Business Board (DBB) formed a Task Group to review the existing processes used for the collection, storage, and retrieval of both DoD-sponsored and DoD-related studies and to propose a new method to optimize sharing, research, and collaboration of this material. The Task Group also considered the challenges associated with managing such a process and how the Department might implement, institutionalize, and publicize a system for studies management. Factors to optimize the retrieval of past studies as well as current studies and links to other related information were to be considered. The Task Group conducted interviews and elicited comments from both private sector and DoD knowledge management leadership. Additionally, the Task Group reviewed DoD directives, instructions, and online resources. The number of and amount spent on studies each year within the Federal government, and DoD in particular, is enormous. The total dollars for federally funded studies in FY2009 was $3.3 billion, not including $62 billion on research and development. Within OSD, and only considering studies conducted by Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, OSD spent $240 million on 758 Custom Studies in FY2009. Furthermore, no comprehensive and systematic collection, storage, and retrieval system exists to provide "one stop shopping" knowledge management of DoD-funded studies, U.S. Government-funded studies, commercial information, and open source analyses with relevance to DoD. The largest current repository of DoD-funded studies resides within the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) located within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. However, the DTIC search capability is limited and stovepiped. There are many private sector best practices that can enhance DoD's knowledge management. Three overarching recommendations are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA526146
Entities
People
- Atul Vashistha
- James Kimsey
- Kevin Walker
- Leigh Warner
- Lon Levin
Organizations
- Defense Business Board