Exploring business model efficiency on U.S. Air Force information technology investment management

Despite the recent emergence of numerous corporate information technology (IT) business efficiency models, there exists no systematic approach towards optimizing the efficiency of IT resources and their operational effectiveness within the unique environment of the Department of Defense (DOD) and U.S. Air Force (USAF) investment management. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of select DOD IT business models on USAF IT investment management, the study included a qualitative, descriptive approach to the USAF IT investment management that included DOD IT business efficiency model characteristics and attributes and select project management controls associated with the USAF IT investment management process. Analysis of the data revealed that the USAF was not effectively structured to promote the efficiency of its IT investment management strategies. Further, research data survey results confirmed numerous government reports that few project management controls currently exist at the lower levels of IT investment management, impacting strategic decision-making and the effective implementation of a USAF and DOD enterprise architecture resulting in significant loss of returns on investment capital. Data from this study should yield direct application not only to the USAF and DOD IT project management and investment-management communities, but also to component services and other government and federal IT and acquisitions organizations.