CDFM MODULE 4 ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Resource Allocation. Answer: Planning, Programming &
Budgeting, Enactment, Execution.
◉ Planning. Answer: Takes place annually from October to April for
the current and future 4 fiscal years.
◉ Programming & Budgeting. Answer: Takes place annually from
May to January. Budgeting for the current fiscal year, and
Programming for the current and future 4 fiscal years.
◉ Enactment. Answer: Takes place annually from February to
September for the current fiscal year.
◉ Execution. Answer: Takes place annually from October through
September of the current and prior fiscal years. 4.1.4
◉ Programming Phase. Answer: Begins with a POM (Program
Objective Memorandum). This development process seeks to
construct a balanced set of programs that respond to the guidance
,and priorities of the Defense Planning and Programming Guidance
(DPPG) within fiscal constraints. 4.1.5
◉ Budgeting Phase. Answer: The draft RMD (Resource Management
Decisions) is provided to the affected component for comment and
then are forwarded to the Deputy or Secretary of Defense for final
decision on that subject. Then, these decisions are reflected in an
updated budget submission provided to OMB. 4.1.6
◉ Execution Phase. Answer: Provides feedback to senior leadership
concerning the effectiveness of current and prior resource
allocations. Over time, metrics are being developed to support the
execution review that will measure actual output versus planned
performance for defense programs.
◉ National Security Strategy. Answer: Approved 1st year of a
Presidential administration
◉ Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). Answer: Created once the
National Security Strategy has been established. Provided to
Congress in the 2nd year of the administration. In the PPBE process,
the QDR final report serves as the foundation document for defense
strategy and business policy.
◉ Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS).
Answer: Identification process that allows joint forces to meet future
,military challenges. It is supported by robust analytic processes to
identify CAPABILITY GAPS and potential solutions.
◉ Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). Answer: Entity that
pulls the JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration and Development
System (JCIDS) and Defense Acquisition process together. Chaired by
the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who co-chairs the
Defense Acquisition Board.
◉ Milestones. Answer: Three decision points in the defense
acquisition process in which JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration
and Development System) documents are provided that will guide
the subsequent development, production, and testing of the
program.
◉ Acquisition Category I and IA (Automated Information Systems).
Answer: These and other high-interest programs' JCIDS are
reviewed and validated by JROC prior to Milestone A.
◉ Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics (USD(AT&L)). Answer: Is the Defense Acquisition
Executive. He reviews ACAT ID programs and is the Milestone
Decision Authority (MDA).4.1.10
, ◉ Most expensive acquisition program categories. Answer: MDAPs
(Major Defense Acquisition Programs) and MAISs (Major Automated
Information Systems)
◉ Most expensive ACAT I programs. Answer: ACAT ID and Major
Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) - MDA (Milestone Decision
Authority) is USD(AT&L)
◉ Most Expensive ACAT IA Programs. Answer: ACAT IAM and Major
Automated Information Systems (MAIS) - MDA is ASD NII (Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration) /
DoD CIO 4.1.10
◉ Acquisition Strategy. Answer: Guides the acquisition phase and is
comprised of 21 topics. Either evolutionary or single item -
evolutionary preferred. Single step is when you make a
determination as to what you want, then you buy it (ex: rifles) 4.1.15
◉ 10 USC 2435. Answer: Where we get the statutory authority to do
stuff. It says the DoD may not obligate funds for an MDAP after the
program enters System Development and Demonstration without a
Milestone Decision Authority-approved baseline unless the
USD(AT&L) specifically approves the obligation. 4.1.19
◉ Trade Offs. Answer: Maximizing PM and contractor flexibility to
make cost/performance trade-offs is essential to achieving cost
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Resource Allocation. Answer: Planning, Programming &
Budgeting, Enactment, Execution.
◉ Planning. Answer: Takes place annually from October to April for
the current and future 4 fiscal years.
◉ Programming & Budgeting. Answer: Takes place annually from
May to January. Budgeting for the current fiscal year, and
Programming for the current and future 4 fiscal years.
◉ Enactment. Answer: Takes place annually from February to
September for the current fiscal year.
◉ Execution. Answer: Takes place annually from October through
September of the current and prior fiscal years. 4.1.4
◉ Programming Phase. Answer: Begins with a POM (Program
Objective Memorandum). This development process seeks to
construct a balanced set of programs that respond to the guidance
,and priorities of the Defense Planning and Programming Guidance
(DPPG) within fiscal constraints. 4.1.5
◉ Budgeting Phase. Answer: The draft RMD (Resource Management
Decisions) is provided to the affected component for comment and
then are forwarded to the Deputy or Secretary of Defense for final
decision on that subject. Then, these decisions are reflected in an
updated budget submission provided to OMB. 4.1.6
◉ Execution Phase. Answer: Provides feedback to senior leadership
concerning the effectiveness of current and prior resource
allocations. Over time, metrics are being developed to support the
execution review that will measure actual output versus planned
performance for defense programs.
◉ National Security Strategy. Answer: Approved 1st year of a
Presidential administration
◉ Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). Answer: Created once the
National Security Strategy has been established. Provided to
Congress in the 2nd year of the administration. In the PPBE process,
the QDR final report serves as the foundation document for defense
strategy and business policy.
◉ Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS).
Answer: Identification process that allows joint forces to meet future
,military challenges. It is supported by robust analytic processes to
identify CAPABILITY GAPS and potential solutions.
◉ Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC). Answer: Entity that
pulls the JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration and Development
System (JCIDS) and Defense Acquisition process together. Chaired by
the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who co-chairs the
Defense Acquisition Board.
◉ Milestones. Answer: Three decision points in the defense
acquisition process in which JCIDS (Joint Capabilities Integration
and Development System) documents are provided that will guide
the subsequent development, production, and testing of the
program.
◉ Acquisition Category I and IA (Automated Information Systems).
Answer: These and other high-interest programs' JCIDS are
reviewed and validated by JROC prior to Milestone A.
◉ Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics (USD(AT&L)). Answer: Is the Defense Acquisition
Executive. He reviews ACAT ID programs and is the Milestone
Decision Authority (MDA).4.1.10
, ◉ Most expensive acquisition program categories. Answer: MDAPs
(Major Defense Acquisition Programs) and MAISs (Major Automated
Information Systems)
◉ Most expensive ACAT I programs. Answer: ACAT ID and Major
Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) - MDA (Milestone Decision
Authority) is USD(AT&L)
◉ Most Expensive ACAT IA Programs. Answer: ACAT IAM and Major
Automated Information Systems (MAIS) - MDA is ASD NII (Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration) /
DoD CIO 4.1.10
◉ Acquisition Strategy. Answer: Guides the acquisition phase and is
comprised of 21 topics. Either evolutionary or single item -
evolutionary preferred. Single step is when you make a
determination as to what you want, then you buy it (ex: rifles) 4.1.15
◉ 10 USC 2435. Answer: Where we get the statutory authority to do
stuff. It says the DoD may not obligate funds for an MDAP after the
program enters System Development and Demonstration without a
Milestone Decision Authority-approved baseline unless the
USD(AT&L) specifically approves the obligation. 4.1.19
◉ Trade Offs. Answer: Maximizing PM and contractor flexibility to
make cost/performance trade-offs is essential to achieving cost
