# Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Explore the interrelationships of the budget cycle, the acquisition process, and the mission planning of the Department of Defense (DoD). Gain an understanding of the documents generated during the PPBE process, the flow and sequencing of these documents, and their various interfaces. Learn about the information and requirements of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Services, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commanders of the Combatant Commands. This course is part of the Master Certificate in Federal Financial Management (MCFFM), and it may be taken as an alternative to [Planning, Budgeting, and Performance Measurement](/courses/planning-budgeting-and-performance-measurement) (BUDG8180). ## What you'll learn - Describe the relationship between strategic planning, needs determination, PPBE, and the acquisition processes. - Summarize the purpose of PPBE. - Distinguish between the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution phases of the PPBE process. - Explain the roles of key officials and organizations involved in the PPBE process. - List the key products and documents generated and used within the PPBE process. - Participate more effectively in the PPBE and budget development processes. - Discuss the basic elements of DA budget performance and execution. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to the PPBE Process - Historical background of PPBE - Evolution of PPBE - Key organizations and individuals involved - Relationship between strategic planning, needs determination, PPBE, and acquisition processes - The four steps in the budget process #### Module 2: Planning - Defining national military strategy - Planning force levels and military strategies - Strategic and policy documents (National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy) - Defense Planning Guidance (DPG) - Planning goals, objectives, and issues #### Module 3: Programming - Translating planning decisions into resource allocation - Program Objective Memorandum (POM) - Balancing centrally managed programs for manpower, operations, and construction #### Module 4: Budgeting - Budget Estimate Submission (BES) - Program Budget Decisions (PBDs) - Finalizing budgets for submission to OSD, OMB, and the President #### Module 5: Budget Execution - Receipt of appropriated funds - Executing the budget and assessing program performance - Reporting outcomes compared to the planned budget #### Module 6: Course Summary - Overview of PPBE process and phases - Key participants and their roles - Summary of key documents and deliverables - What happens after the formal budget submission to Congress ## Schedule - Jul 15, 2026 – Jul 17, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 8, 2026 – Sep 10, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 15, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 16, 2026 – Nov 18, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 7, 2026 – Dec 9, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Kent Miller — Instructor Kent D. Miller, Jr., MBA, CDFM-A, is a highly accomplished financial management expert and educator with over 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. A retired U.S. Army officer, Kent has held leadership roles such as Controller/CFO for the U.S. Army Missile Command and Program Manager/Financial Analyst for the Assistant Secretary of the Army. His expertise spans budgeting, cost analysis, managerial accounting, and financial systems implementation. Notably, he managed a $9 billion organization, supervised a financial staff of 150, and developed funding requirements and congressional testimony for senior Army leadership. Kent’s career also includes consulting and training, where he has developed over 50 courses and taught more than 20,000 students from federal agencies and contractors. As an adjunct instructor at Graduate School USA since 2005, Kent specializes in financial management training for federal employees. His courses cover a wide range of topics, including appropriations law, budget formulation and execution, and performance-based budgeting. Kent’s teaching is informed by his extensive experience in planning, programming, and budgeting, as well as his work in reengineering processes to achieve cost savings. He is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager with Acquisition Specialty (CDFM-A) and has been recognized for his leadership in professional organizations such as the Society of Defense Financial Management and the Association of Government Accountants. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1199