DoD has developed an online resource, Smart Shutdown, to offer tools related to program cancellations to program managers, but current efforts to publicize that online resource may not be sufficient and program officials may lack the knowledge necessary to leverage investments as effectively as possible, GAO has concluded.
It said that while this resource is designed to allow officials to share lessons learned about program cancellation, there have been few contributions to date.
DoD relies on a government-wide process for tracking disposal of government property, such as computer hardware and equipment, but this process is not tailored to weapon systems and was not designed to track other types of assets such as rights to technical data and software, or partially-developed technologies, according to GAO-14-77.
It called on the department to direct program officials to refer to Smart Shutdown guidance and to provide lessons learned, and recommended that DoD develop department-wide processes to improve tracking and dissemination of information about assets available.
DOD agreed in part, but stated use of and contribution to Smart Shutdown should be encouraged rather than directed.
