# DHS Planning, Programing, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) Course (Self-Paced) Canonical URL: ## Overview This course gives you an enhanced working knowledge of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) process for planning and programming future activities, and then developing, justifying, and executing the department's portion of the United States government budget. Through practical applications, the course introduces, explains, and demonstrates the PPBE processes: 1. Framework fundamentals 2. Resource allocation management operations 3. Budget implementation and execution processes 4. Progress monitoring and accountability through comprehensive reporting ## What you'll learn - Discuss the size and composition of the federal budget and how DHS fits within it. - Explain and interpret the purpose and functions of each phase of the DHS PPBE process. - Identify key decision-makers, decision-products, and supporting documentation generated within the DHS PPBE process. - Describe the roles of the DHS organizational elements supporting decision-makers in the DHS PPBE process. - Discuss the importance of the Congressional Action process and the Review, Report and Audit processes, and how each relates to the DHS PPBE process. - Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental elements of PPBE by applying key concepts at each stage of the PPBE process in a comprehensive exercise. ## Prerequisites Students should have prior experience with federal budgeting or resource allocation processes, familiarity with strategic planning principles, and a working knowledge of DHS or similar agency operations, including stakeholder roles and budget documentation requirements. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Overview of the DHS PPBE Process - Understand the purpose, evolution, and structure of the PPBE process within DHS. - Discuss fiscal challenges and the federal budget landscape as they relate to DHS. - Identify key phases: Planning, Programming, Budgeting, Execution. - Review the DHS mission and its implications for resource allocation. - Introduce the DHS PPBE cycle and foundational decision-making structures. #### Module 2: Decisions and Documentation in the DHS PPBE Process - Identify key analytical and decision documents used in DHS budgeting. - Explain the flow and hierarchy of PPBE documentation. - Describe pre-decisional information and the DHS legal mandate for PPBE. - Summarize documentation from planning through execution and audit. - Understand budget justification, appeals, and reconciliation processes. #### Module 3: Key Players in the DHS PPBE Process - Identify DHS internal and external stakeholders in the PPBE process. - Understand the roles of the President, Congress, OMB, and DHS leadership. - Examine decision-making forums like DMAG, JRC, and CFO Council. - Outline the responsibilities of Component Heads and Senior Financial Officers. - Map the support functions across the PPBE lifecycle. #### Module 4: Planning - Examine strategic planning under GPRA and GPRAMA mandates. - Learn how strategic goals, outcomes, and outputs guide budgeting. - Understand the development of the Resource Planning Guidance (RPG). - Incorporate enterprise risk management and strategic reviews. - Link planning activities to Component-level resource alignment. #### Module 5: Programming - Translate planning priorities into multi-year resource allocations. - Understand the Resource Allocation Plan (RAP) process and fiscal guidance. - Describe the role of the DMAG and CFO Council in program reviews. - Review capital investment planning and CPIC responsibilities. - Develop trade-off analyses, issue team briefs, and RADs. #### Module 6: Budgeting - Finalize cost estimates and prepare the annual DHS budget request. - Understand object classes, MAX Schedule P & O, and justification requirements. - Review the OMB budget submission, passback, and appeal processes. - Develop the Congressional Justification (CJ) and Strategic Context narratives. - Coordinate internal budget documentation and external presentation. #### Module 7: Congressional Action - Explain the roles of Budget, Appropriations, and Authorization Committees. - Track DHS budget submissions through hearings and markups. - Understand the differences between continuing resolutions and regular appropriations. - Coordinate congressional testimony, QFRs, and RFIs. - Support enactment of the DHS Appropriations Act. #### Module 8: Execution - Describe the flow of funds from Treasury warrant through outlay. - Differentiate between obligations, expenditures, and outlays. - Manage apportionments, allotments, and fund controls under ADA compliance. - Implement mid-year reviews and reprogramming or transfer processes. - Use financial data to support mission execution. #### Module 9: Review, Report, and Audit - Outline evaluation processes: performance review, financial reporting, and audits. - Understand federal accounting structures, FASAB standards, and GAO/IG audits. - Prepare and submit the AFR, APR, and related performance documentation. - Conduct Strategic Reviews and performance measure validation. - Use feedback from audits and reviews to inform future PPBE cycles. ## 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. ### 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