Follow the money. It is true at the Pentagon as anywhere else. And the Government Accountability Office says that the Defense Department's Business Transformation Office isn't doing enough -- or moving fast enough.

In 2005, GAO put DOD's approach to business transformation on its high-risk list. And the report offers a progress report on its recommendations.

GAO says that DOD needs to create greater accountability throughout the organization for good management processes and sound financial management -- and the recently created Chief Management Officer needs to be more powerful and more effective across the military.

GAO said the Pentagon needs to assign specific roles and responsibilities to the chief management officer for integrating the Pentagon's efficiency initiative with ongoing reform efforts

DOD also needs to issue guidance to establish a more effective strategic planning process with mechanisms -- such as procedures and milestones -- for routinely updating plans across the armed services.

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