strategic planning

In their HBR article, “Managing Risks:  A New Framework,” Kaplan and Mikes say: “risk management is too often treated as a compliance issue that can be solved by drawing up lots of rules and making sure that all employees follow them.” 

The imperative to improve the business operations of the U.S. Department of Defense has never been greater. Secretary of Defense Gates and Deputy Secretary Lynn have clearly articulated the pressing need for reform, driving action across all business areas such as acquisition and logistics, finance, and personnel. Transforming these business processes and systems is motivated by the need to make better use of resources, improve stewardship, and provide the best support possible to the warfighters.

In 1996, Congress mandated the Defense Department to conduct a “quadrennial defense review” (QDR) of plausible future national security scenarios and to assess the effectiveness of different mixes of resources in addressing these scenarios.  These reviews – looking 15 to 20 years into the future -- are conducted every four years to inform Defense strategic efforts.