Site problems Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System (PPBE) According to DoD, the PPBE is intended to provide Combatant Commanders the best mix of forces, equipment and support within fiscal constraints; the PPBE develops DoD’s proposesd budget for all acquisitions, including Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). The PPBE process consists of four stages: 1. Planning 2. Programming 3. Budgeting and 4. Execution The “Planning” identifies the capabilities and capacities required to deliver products and/or services. The “Programming” stage, proposed programs are fleshed out and the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) is submitted to propose these programs. A program can be altered by creating a Program Decision Memorandum (PDM). The next stage, “Budgeting” occurs concurrently with the programming phase. Proposed budgets are reviewed in a different manner than proposed programs (see figure below). Upon issuance of a PDM or as a result of a budge review, Program Budget Decisions (PBDs) are issued; once all PBDs are finalized, the DoD components may appeal a decision by submitting Major Budget Issues (MBIs) to the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF). The SECDEF may make a decision based upon the information presented.   The“Execution” phase is intended to take place during the off-year PPBE cycle. During this stage, programs are evaluated on their ability to execute, namely to meet established performance metrics, which can include funding obligations and expenditures. PPBE, planning and programming activities occur in even-numbered years (called “on-years”), while budgeting and execution activities occur in both even and odd numbered years (called “off-years”). In the off-years, Change Proposals (CPs) can be requested from a DoD review of the program’s performance.