Planning. In the planning phase, the military role and posture of the United
States and the Department of Defense in the world environment shall be examined,
considering enduring national security objectives and the need for efficient management
of resources. The focus shall be on the following major objectives: defining the national
military strategy necessary to help maintain national security and support U.S. foreign policy 2 to 7 years in the future; planning the integrated and balanced military forces
necessary to accomplish that strategy; ensuring the necessary framework (including
priorities) to manage DoD resources effectively for successful mission accomplishment
consistent with national resource limitations; and providing decision options to the
Secretary of Defense to help him assess the role of national defense in the formulation of
national security policy and related decisions. This review shall culminate in the issuance
of the Defense Guidance.
Programming. In the programming phase, the DoD Components shall develop
proposed programs consistent with the Defense Guidance. These programs shall reflect
systematic analysis of missions and objectives to be achieved, alternative methods of
accomplishing them, and the effective allocation of the resources. The JCS shall analyze
the programs and provide a risk assessment based on the capability of the composite
force level and support program for the U.S. Armed Forces to execute the strategy
approved during the planning phase. A program review is conducted; the results are
issued in Program Decision Memoranda (PDMs).
Budgeting. In the budgeting phase, the DoD Components shall develop
detailed budget estimates for the budget years of the programs approved during the DoD programming phase. A joint Office of Management and Budget (OMB)/DoD budget review is conducted; the results are issued in Program Budget Decisions (PBDs).
