Department of Defense INSTRUCTION

DoDI 5000.02, January 7, 2015
standard program categories or types in tabular form. Table 1 in Enclosure 1 provides specific
definitions, funding thresholds, and decision authorities. Some information systems are also
designated as a National Security System or a Defense Business System. These designations are
defined in statute and have procedural and policy consequences. Enclosure 11 addresses
Information Technology, and Enclosure 12 DoDI 5000.75 (Reference (cw)) describes Defense
Business Systems.
(4) Program Decision Reviews and Milestones. The purpose of the decision reviews
embedded in the acquisition procedures described in this section is to carefully assess a
program’s readiness to proceed to the next acquisition phase and to make a sound investment
decision committing the Department’s financial resources. Consequently, reviews will be issue
and data focused to facilitate an examination of relevant questions affecting the decisions under
consideration and to allow the MDA to judge whether the program is ready to proceed. The
following policies will guide decision reviews:
(a) The MDA is the sole and final decision authority. Staff members and staff
organizations support and facilitate the MDA's execution of that authority.
(b) The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) will advise the DAE on critical
acquisition decisions when the DAE is the MDA. The DAE or designee will chair the DAB. An
Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) will document decisions resulting from reviews.
Similar procedures will be established at the Component level for use by other MDAs.
(c) Program Managers, under the supervision of Program Executive Officers (PEOs)
and CAEs, are expected to design acquisition programs, prepare programs for decisions, and
execute approved program plans.
(d) Overarching Integrated Product Teams (OIPTs) at the DoD OSD level, and
similar organizations within the DoD Components are expected to collectively assist the MDA in
making sound investment decisions for the department, and to ensure programs are structured
and resourced to succeed. These organizations are not decision bodies and they and their leaders
do not supplant the authority of the Program Manager, PEO, CAE, or DAE.
(e) Issues should be resolved at the lowest level possible. When an issue cannot be
resolved quickly at a lower level, the issue will be submitted to the MDA with complete and
objective data necessary to support a decision.
(f) The documents prepared in support of the decision process (e.g., Acquisition
Strategy, Systems Engineering Plan (SEP), Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), Life-Cycle
Sustainment Plan (LCSP)) should generally not be prepared solely for staff review and approval,
but be intended primarily for use within the program as planning and management tools that are
highly specific to the program and tailored to meet program needs.
(g) Review preparation will be streamlined and efficient. Staff members will be
provided with the data needed to support the review, but they will also work to minimize the
overhead burden placed on the DoD Components, PEOs, program managers, and their staffs.
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