Missile Defense: Cost Estimating Practices Have Improved, and Continued Evaluation Will Determine Effectiveness
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 mandated that MDA submit a report to the congressional defense committees by December 26, 2014, describing, among other things, the actions it has taken to improve the quality of its cost estimates, the schedule for any remaining actions, and how those actions compare to the best practices and cost-estimation guidelines recommended by GAO. In addition, the agency's report must also include GAO's views on its contents. This report includes our assessment of MDA's October 2014 draft report and the extent to which MDA's past and planned actions are in line with GAO best practices. Specifically, our assessment focuses on four key actions MDA has taken to improve the quality of its cost estimates: (1) releasing a June 2012 Cost Estimating and Analysis Handbook, (2) performing internal cost reviews, (3) assembling an independent cost assessment team, and (4) receiving independent cost estimates from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE). This report is being published prior to the release of MDA's report so that it can be included as mandated in MDA's final report to congressional defense committees.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 12, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA612027
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office