---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 4273"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "4273"
heading: "Performance assessments and root cause analyses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/4273"
units:
  - "Subtitle A — General Military Law"
  - "Part V — Acquisition"
  - "Subpart F — Major Systems, Major Defense Acquisition Programs, and Weapon Systems Development"
  - "Chapter 322 — Major Systems and Major Defense Acquisition Programs Generally"
  - "Subchapter IV — Additional Provisions Applicable Specifically to Major Defense Acquisition Programs"
---

# §4273. Performance assessments and root cause analyses

- (a) **Designation of Senior Official Responsibility for Performance Assessments and Root Cause Analyses.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall designate a senior official in the Office of the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense as the principal official of the [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense responsible for conducting and overseeing performance assessments and root cause analyses for [major defense acquisition programs](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a).
  - (2) **No program execution responsibility.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall ensure that the senior official designated under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) is not responsible for [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) execution.
  - (3) **Staff and resources.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) shall assign to the senior official designated under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) appropriate staff and resources necessary to carry out the senior official’s [function](/usc/10/467.md?p=1) under this section.
- (b) **Responsibilities.—** The senior official designated under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be responsible for the following:
  - (1) Carrying out performance assessments of [major defense acquisition programs](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a) in accordance with the requirements of [subsection (c)](#c) periodically or when requested by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6), or the head of a [Defense Agency](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11).
  - (2) Conducting root cause analyses for [major defense acquisition programs](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a) in accordance with the requirements of [subsection (d)](#d) when required by [section 4376(a)(1) of this title](/usc/10/4376.md?p=a-1), or when requested by the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense, the Under [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of a [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) [department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6), or the head of a [Defense Agency](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11).
  - (3) Issuing policies, procedures, and guidance governing the conduct of performance assessments and root cause analyses by the [military departments](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-8) and the [Defense Agencies](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-11).
  - (4) Evaluating the utility of performance metrics used to measure the cost, schedule, and performance of [major defense acquisition programs](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a), and making such recommendations to the [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense as the official considers appropriate to improve such metrics.
  - (5) Advising acquisition officials on performance issues regarding a [major defense acquisition program](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a) that may arise—
    - (A) before certification under sections [4376](/usc/10/4376.md) and [4377](/usc/10/4377.md) of this title;
    - (B) before entry into full-[rate](/usc/10/101.md?p=b-9) production; or
    - (C) in the course of consideration of any decision to request authorization of a multiyear [procurement](/usc/10/3011.md?p=1) contract for the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1).
- (c) **Performance Assessments.—** For purposes of this section, a performance assessment with respect to a [major defense acquisition program](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a) is an evaluation of the following:
  - (1) The cost, schedule, and performance of the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), relative to current metrics, including performance requirements and baseline descriptions.
  - (2) The extent to which the level of [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) cost, schedule, and performance predicted relative to such metrics is likely to result in the timely delivery of a level of capability to the warfighter that is consistent with the level of resources to be expended and provides superior value to alternative approaches that may be available to meet the same [military](/usc/10/801.md?p=8) requirement.
- (d) **Root Cause Analyses.—** For purposes of this section and sections [4376](/usc/10/4376.md) and [4377](/usc/10/4377.md) of this title, a root cause analysis with respect to a [major defense acquisition program](/usc/10/4201.md?p=a) is an assessment of the underlying cause or causes of shortcomings in cost, schedule, or performance of the [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1), including the role, if any, of—
  - (1) unrealistic performance expectations;
  - (2) unrealistic [baseline estimates](/usc/10/4371.md?p=a-4) for cost or schedule;
  - (3) immature technologies or excessive manufacturing or integration risk;
  - (4) unanticipated design, engineering, manufacturing, or technology integration issues arising during [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) performance;
  - (5) changes in [procurement](/usc/10/3011.md?p=1) quantities;
  - (6) inadequate [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) funding or funding instability;
  - (7) poor performance by government or contractor personnel responsible for [program](/usc/10/2101.md?p=1) management; or
  - (8) any other matters.
- (e) **Support of Applicable Capabilities and Expertise.—** The [Secretary](/usc/10/4951.md?p=3) of Defense shall ensure that the senior official designated under [subsection (a)](#a) has the support of other [Department](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-6) of Defense officials with relevant capabilities and expertise needed to carry out the requirements of this section.

## Source credit

(Added and amended Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title IX, § 901(d), (k)(1)(F), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4321, 4325, § 2438; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(f)(27), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1953; Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title X, § 1077(b), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 998; Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title IX, § 902(72), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1551; renumbered § 4273 and amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1847(e)(3), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4256; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(b)(16)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2134; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, § 1801(a)(34), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685; Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(a)(44), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2206.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23, formerly set out as a note under section 2430 of this title, which was transferred to chapter 144 of this title, renumbered as section 2438, and amended by Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d), (k)(1)(F), and subsequently renumbered as this section and amended by Pub. L. 116–283, § 1847(e)(3), was based on Pub. L. 111–23, title I, § 103, May 22, 2009, 123 Stat. 1715.

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–159 substituted “4376” for “4736”.

2023—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–31 substituted “sections 4376” for “sections 4736”.

2021—Pub. L. 116–283, § 1847(e)(3), renumbered section 2438 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1847(e)(3)(A), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, § 1701(b)(16)(B), substituted “section 4376(a)(1)” for “section 2433a(a)(1)”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1847(e)(3)(B), substituted “sections 4736 and 4377” for “section 2433a”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–283, § 1847(e)(3)(B), substituted “sections 4736 and 4377” for “section 2433a” in introductory provisions.

2019—Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 116–92 substituted “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment” for “Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics”.

2015—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–92 struck out subsec. (f) which related to annual report.

2013—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–239 inserted “the senior” before “official’s”.

2011—Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(k)(1)(F), substituted “Performance assessments and root cause analyses” for “performance assessments and root cause analyses for major defense acquisition programs” in section catchline.

Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d), transferred section 103 of Pub. L. 111–23 to this chapter and renumbered it as this section. See Codification note above.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d)(1), substituted “section 2433a(a)(1) of this title” for “section 2433a(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 206(a) of this Act)”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d)(2), substituted “before” for “prior to” and “section 2433a of this title” for “section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d)(2)(B), substituted “before” for “prior to”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d)(3), substituted “section 2433a of this title” for “section 2433a of title 10, United States Code (as so added)” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–383, § 901(d)(4), struck out “beginning in 2010,” after “each year,”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 117–81 applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of Pub. L. 116–283 as enacted, see section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81, set out in a note preceding section 3001 of this title and note below.

Amendment by Pub. L. 116–283 effective Jan. 1, 2022, with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

### Effective Date

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–383 effective Jan. 1, 2011, see section 901(p) of Pub. L. 111–383, set out as an Effective Date of 2011 Amendment note under section 131 of this title.