Defense IT: Strategy, Implementation and Challenges

Despite unprecedented challenges for FY 2014 and beyond, the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to develop critical IT capabilities as a foundation for its long-term defense strategy. Budget constraints, morphing policies, and acquisition and workforce challenges influence the defense technology vision. DoD’s technology priorities reflect an interconnected set of capabilities that support its mission, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. This report examines DoD’s strategic IT vision, environmental factors impacting execution, and the key technology priorities being deployed to support DoD’s mission and strategy going forward.

Key Findings

• DoD’s long-term strategy hinges developing an integrated and networked force, which will require frugal IT modernization.
• Future Joint Information Environment (JIE) will require investments to support interoperability, cybersecurity and cloud-based enterprise services.
• Regardless of sequestration, DoD will be pressured to drive additional cost savings from within and without.
• DoD is implementing its cloud computing strategy by consolidating infrastructure, implementing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and establishing DISA as a cloud broker.
• Civilian and contractor staff will be critical for DoD’s cybersecurity mission, which will continue to be aligned with intel operations.
• DoD mobility centers on centralized management of services and devices under a standardized application development framework.
• Big data strategy relies on progress of the JIE to create a unified “open data” environment.
• Work to streamline and simplify business systems through consolidation and deduplication continues.
• Budget constraints are forcing DoD to lower ISR spending and rationalize investments for future needs.
• The new Defense Health Agency (DHA) will be critical to defense health IT in support of health care delivery and for military health organizations.

This report explores how the current environment is impacting the following IT investment areas and driving the highest priority capabilities:

• Joint Information Environment (JIE)
• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Big Data
• Mobility
• Business Systems Modernization
• Health IT
• ISR/UXV

Critical Insight for Vendors

This report provides a view of the major drivers in the defense IT market with a focus on strategic direction, contracting preferences, contract opportunities and market forecasts for various major technology areas. The report provides recommendations to guide solutions providers in maximizing their market positioning to best take advantage of federal business opportunities.

Deltek’s Defense IT: Strategy, Implementation and Challenges is delivered in PowerPoint® format, including an Executive Briefing summarizing the key finding and an Excel® workbook with data from the analysis.