Planning, Programming, Budgeting System (PPBS)

The primary resource allocation process of DoD . One of three major decisionmaking support systems for defense acquisition. It is a formal, systematic structure for making decisions on policy, strategy, and the development of forces and capabilities to accomplish anticipated missions. PPBS is a cyclic process containing three distinct, but interrelated phases: planning, which produces the Program Objectives Memorandum (POM) for the Military Departments and Defense Agencies; and budgeting, which produces the DoD portion of the President s Budget. DoD PPBS is a biennial process starting in January of each odd numbered year with national security guidance to initiate the planning phase, and ending in January of the next odd numbered year with the Presidents budget submission to Congress. (Defense Systems Management College)