This is not the first business transformation initiative that the Department has undertaken. How is the current defense business transformation initiative different from previous attempts?
In transforming its business operations, the DoD faces many of the same issues that confront large corporations. As it is not economically or organizationally possible to make sweeping changes all at once, successful transformation focuses on a clear set of priorities aligned to the most urgent customer needs. Additionally, change must be driven from the top with a clear accountability of what functions, systems, and standards will be centralized versus decentralized. The Department’s most recent business transformation effort embodies these principles and, since its inception in 2001, has become the vehicle for change. The ongoing DoD Enterprise and Component partnership has resulted in the development of a clearer understanding of the expansive business and financial systems environment of the Department and where opportunities exist to leverage information technology (IT) assets to deliver improved capabilities to the warfighter. System reductions will be a by-product of successful
