The Russian Ministry of Defense has launched an internal reform effort aimed at improving the efficiency of its day-to-day operations. The initiative focuses primarily on optimizing administrative and logistical workflows, according to media reports citing ministry insiders.

Officials emphasize that the reform will not affect military operations in active combat zones. Instead, the focus lies in strengthening the ministry’s organizational backbone — refining how administrative tasks are handled and eliminating bureaucratic redundancies.

At the heart of the initiative is a plan to remove overlapping functions, freeing personnel to concentrate on core responsibilities. The ministry reportedly intends to modernize its document management systems, streamline benefits administration, and update procedures related to military construction and medical services.

Sources say the ministry has already introduced a new methodology for process analysis and optimization tailored specifically to military structures. Senior officials, including Deputy Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, have undergone training under the new framework. Belousov also established a dedicated department to oversee efficiency improvements across the ministry.

According to reports, the reform’s objective is to scale up best practices and fine-tune processes based on feedback from service members, their families, and unit commanders. Insiders note that the potential for optimization is considerable, given the wide scope of both internal and external processes within the ministry’s structure.

The Defense Ministry has also incorporated five principles of «lean management», adapted for the needs of the armed forces. The first emphasizes retaining personnel while reducing their workload; the second promotes reliance on internal expertise rather than outside consultants. The third principle seeks to implement changes without extra spending — or even with measurable cost savings. The fourth encourages incentives for employees who help improve workflows, while the fifth mandates regular performance reviews and continuous refinement of procedures.

The reform is expected to affect a range of administrative services, including the issuance of certificates and benefits — particularly for participants in the military operation in Ukraine — as well as the functioning of military medical boards responsible for assessing service fitness.