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The Air Force Achieved Its 20-Percent Reduction Goal and Used Sound Practices

• We determined that the Air Force did achieve the 20-percent reductions in spending and end strength when using a technical count of positions coded with program element codes ending in 98. And all major commands contributed to the reductions.
• The Air Force approach to reducing its headquarters management functions included some examples of sound practices, such as identifying improved business processes that streamline information flow and eliminate work, eliminating or combining redundant organizations, and ensuring work is conducted at an appropriate organizational level. However, sound practices were not applied consistently across the Air Force; different major commands employed different strategies with differing results.
• We found that while additional opportunities to reduce major headquarters activities may exist, no areas stand out as immediate targets. Major commands have already eliminated low-priority activities and are currently addressing the residual adverse effects from those reductions. Process reengineering and other efficiencies identified during previous reduction efforts can provide targets for future reductions, but they will take time and detailed analyses from the Air Force.