Evolution of Department of Defense Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System: From SECDEF McNamara to VCJCS Owens

The Planning, Programming and Budgeting System (PPBS), developed in 1961 by Rand Corporation economists for then Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, has been the sole method used for defense resourcing. Has PPBS become an efficient and effective way of jointly assessing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) requirements verses resources? This paper traces the history of PPBS, from its’ inception in 1961 until today, discusses the PPBS merits and pitfalls, and provides issues for consideration in modifying the current system. In order for the United States to ‘ . . . remain an influential voice in international . . . military affairs’ (National Security Strategy of February 1995), the military departments need to find a more corporate way to get the most from our declining defense resources.