Example: The Department of Defense $($DoD$)$ in the United States has been known for its wasteful spending. One such example is the $$1\mathrm{.}5$ trillion F$-35$ Joint Strike Fighter program, which has been criticized for its cost overruns and delays.

Explanation:

This example illustrates waste at the federal level. The F$-35$ program was intended to replace a variety of military aircraft with a single, high$-$performance model. However, the program has been plagued by technical issues, cost overruns, and delays, leading to criticism about wasteful spending.

Step $2$

Cause: The problem was caused by a combination of factors including poor planning, technical challenges, and lack of oversight. The DoD failed to accurately estimate the cost and timeline of the F$-35$ program, leading to cost overruns and delays.

Explanation:

Poor planning and lack of oversight often lead to waste in government spending. In this case, the DoD did not have a realistic understanding of the cost and complexity of the F$-35$ program, leading to significant waste.

Step $3$

Solution: To address this problem, the DoD needs to improve its planning and oversight processes. This could include better cost estimation, more rigorous project management, and increased accountability for program managers.

Explanation:

Improving planning and oversight can help prevent waste in government spending. In the case of the F$-35$ program, better cost estimation and project management could have helped avoid the cost overruns and delays that characterized the program.

Answer

The problem of waste in the F$-35$ program could be addressed by improving planning and oversight processes, including better cost estimation, more rigorous project management, and increased accountability for program managers.