A DOD Executive Agent is the head of a DOD component. This information is based on our analysis of ODCMO’s  list of DOD Executive Agents. Weaknesses Exist in DOD’s Approach to Tracking Its DOD Executive Agents

We found that DOD has weaknesses in its approach to tracking its DOD  Executive Agents, resulting in ODCMO not having an accurate  accounting of the number of DOD Executive Agents. For example,  we found 10 designations on DOD’s list of DOD Executive Agents that  were not accurate, including the following:
Disestablished DOD Executive Agents: Three DOD Executive Agent  designations that were on ODCMO’s list had been disestablished;  however, they had not been removed from the list. Without taking steps to ensure that it is accurately  tracking its Executive Agents, ODCMO will not be able to effectively  oversee the DOD Executive Agent program. As a result, DOD’s list of Executive  Agents will continue to be out dated and incomplete. About Half of the DOD Executive Agents Who Responded to Our Questionnaire Were Not Assessed

According to the 70 DOD Executive Agents responding to our  questionnaire, OSD Principal Staff Assistants responsible for assessing  DOD Executive Agents have not conducted assessments of about half  (37 of 70) of the DOD Executive Agents in the past 3 years, as required  by DOD guidance. 2.) The directive also assigns ODCMO the responsibility for  overseeing the implementation of the directive. Without verifying that the OSD Principal Staff Assistants for all DOD  Executive Agents have completed required assessments and providing  implementing guidance requiring the documentation of the assessments,  the department does not have reasonable assurance that OSD Principal  Staff Assistants are assessing DOD Executive Agents or that DOD  Executive Agents—as a management arrangement—are accomplishing  department objectives. According to DOD officials, conducting these  periodic assessments would assist the department in reviewing DOD  Executive Agent designations to ensure that the department is managing  its resources efficiently and effectively. However, ODCMO faces  challenges in overseeing DOD Executive Agents. Recommendations for Executive Action

We recommend that DOD’s Deputy Chief Management Officer take the  following three actions:  strengthen its approach to track DOD Executive Agents to ensure that  its list and contact information are current and complete;  verify that the OSD Principal Staff Assistants for all DOD Executive  Agents have completed their required assessments every 3 years;  and  issue implementing guidance that OSD Principal Staff Assistants  should document the assessments of DOD Executive Agents,  including documenting how the assessments address the DOD  Executive Agents’ continued need, currency, and effectiveness and  efficiency in meeting end-user needs. In  written comments, which are summarized below and reprinted in  appendix II, DOD concurred with our recommendations. Appendix I: List of Department of Defense (DOD) Executive Agents

The Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer (ODCMO) maintains  a list of DOD Executive Agents. The list includes information about each  DOD Executive Agent, such as the title of the DOD Executive Agent  assignment, the office assigned as the Office of the Secretary of Defense  (OSD) Principal Staff Assistant, the department official who designated  the DOD Executive Agent, and the date of the DOD Executive Agent  assignment.
Why GAO Did This Study

DOD maintains military forces with unparalleled capabilities. However, the department continues to confront weaknesses in the management of its business functions that support these forces. DOD uses Executive Agents, which are intended to facilitate collaboration, to achieve critical department objectives.
Senate Report 114-255, accompanying a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, included a provision that GAO review DOD Executive Agents. This report (1) describes the number and focus of DOD Executive Agents; and evaluates the extent to which DOD (2) tracks its Executive Agents and (3) conducts periodic assessments of its Executive Agents. GAO reviewed relevant DOD directives and the list of Executive Agents; developed and implemented a questionnaire to DOD's Executive Agents; and interviewed relevant DOD officials.

What GAO Found

Based on GAO's analysis, the Department of Defense (DOD) has 81 Executive Agents—management arrangements where the head of a DOD component is designated specific roles and responsibilities to accomplish objectives when more than one component is involved. These Executive Agents are assigned to 12 DOD components and support a range of activities, including managing technology and developing training programs. The Secretary of the Army is designated as the Executive Agent for almost half of them (38 of 81). DOD's Executive Agent directive requires that the Office of the Deputy Chief Management Officer (ODCMO) maintain a list of Executive Agent designations and oversee their assessments, among other things. Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Principal Staff Assistants are required to assess their respective Executive Agents every 3 years to determine their continued need, currency, efficiency, and effectiveness.
GAO found weaknesses in DOD's approach to tracking its Executive Agents, resulting in inaccuracies regarding 10 Executive Agents. For example, DOD's list of Executive Agents included several that are not currently active. While ODCMO is required to maintain a list of Executive Agents, ODCMO officials rely on self-reported information from DOD Executive Agents and OSD Principal Staff Assistants. Without taking steps to accurately track DOD Executive Agents, DOD's list will continue to be out dated and ODCMO cannot effectively oversee DOD Executive Agents.
Principal Staff Assistants had not periodically assessed more than half (37 of 70) of DOD Executive Agents that responded to GAO's questionnaire (see figure). ODCMO is responsible for overseeing the implementation of DOD's Executive Agents directive, which requires that Principal Staff Assistants conduct assessments; however, ODCMO officials told GAO they do not ensure that Principal Staff Assistants have conducted these assessments. GAO also found that Principal Staff Assistants are not required to document these assessments. Without verifying the completion of these assessments and issuing guidance requiring their documentation, DOD does not have reasonable assurance that DOD Executive Agents are accomplishing department objectives.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that ODCMO strengthen its approach to track DOD Executive Agents; verify assessments are conducted; and issue implementing guidance for documenting assessments. DOD concurred with the recommendations.