Currently, there are many different names used for Outcome-based Measures of Effectiveness (MOE).
Outcome-based Performance Measures: Clinger Cohen Act (CCA) guidance in the DoDI 5000.2 table (Enclosure 4, T1) and in OSD policy memos often refer to these as "Outcome based Performance Measures."Guidance with this term states that "The DoD CIO, with the DoD Components, shall also ensure user-defined, mission-related, outcome-based performance measures are established for use in assessment and verification of IT and NSS interoperability and supportability."
Measures of Effectiveness: When we access the Joint Staff and the test and evaluation communities, we found that their definitions for measures of effectiveness (MOE) fill the same requirement.
The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), CJCSI 3170.01C, defines MOEs as:&
MOEs are...metrics used to measure results achieved in the overall mission and execution of assigned tasks. Measures of effectiveness are a prerequisite to the performance measurement.
The Defense Acquisition University in its 10th edition Glossary:
MOEs are a measure of operational success that must be closely related to the objective of the mission or operation being evaluated. For example, the number of enemy submarines sunk or enemy tanks destroyed may be satisfactory MOEs if the objective is to destroy such weapons systems. ... A meaningful MOE must be quantifiable and a measure to what degree the real objective is achieved.
Mission Performance Measures: Sometimes you will see the guidance specify "Mission Performance Measures," as is done in the OMB Exhibit 300 submission. Mission Performance Measures, as applied in the Clinger-Cohen Act context, are those elements within an agreement between a mission owner, PSA or equivalent, and an acquisition agent, that will validate the expected outcomes of the IT investment agreement. Mission Performance Measures are:
- Quantifiable and Measurable
- Characterize the more important aspects of the expected outcomes
- Collected in the actual operational environment
- Independently collected and analyzed
- Reported to the Component CFO
Conclusion: The IT/NSS mission performance measures called out in CCA and the OMB Exhibit 300 are appropriately included within the DoD definition of Measures of Effectiveness (MOE), as well as the outcome-based performance measures guidance. These terms can be used interchangeably.
For the purposes of consistency in the guidance on the CCA Community, the term "Outcome-based Measures of Effectiveness" will be used. This combination represents both the IT term (outcome based performance measures) and the preferred NSS term (Measures of Effectiveness).
