Improving Information Technology Accountability
- VA, since October 2005, has been realigning its information technology (IT) program to provide greater authority and accountability over its resources.
- VA spends about $1 billion annually to support its IT needs.
- The goals of VA's IT realignment were to centralize IT management under the department-level Chief Information Officer and standardize operations and the development of systems across the department using new management processes based on industry best practices.
- By implementing new management processes, VA intended to correct deficiencies it encountered as a result of its previously decentralized management approach.
- VA has taken important steps in its realignment initiative; however, VA has not completed the critical task of fully implementing the new management processes that were intended to be the foundation for the realignment and that are essential to the department institutionalizing best management practices that will be sustained regardless of future VA leadership changes.
^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done
- VA has not fully implemented the new IT management structure. In order to complete its realignment, VA needs to
- develop detailed IT governance process descriptions that address how VA will manage IT resources within the centralized organization,
- fully staff all offices necessary for supporting the new organizational structure
- expedite the development of performance metrics to track the progress of the realignment, and
- dedicate an implementation team responsible for change management processes throughout the transformation to a centralized IT structure.
Highlights of GAO-07-844 (PDF)
- VA should ensure centralized control of the IT budget by
- establishing milestones to permanently staff the Deputy Assistant Secretary position for IT Enterprise Strategy, Policy, and Programs and the Deputy Assistant Secretary position for IT Resource Management; and
- establishing a schedule for implementation of the IT portfolio management and financial management processes.
Highlights of GAO-07-844 (PDF)
^ Back to topKey Reports
- Information Technology: VA Has Taken Important Steps to Centralize Control of Its Resources, but Effectiveness Depends on Additional Planned Actions
- GAO-08-449T, February 13, 2008
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 17 pages) Accessible Text
- Veterans Affairs: Sustained Management Commitment and Oversight Are Essential to Completing Information Technology Realignment and Strengthening Information Security
- GAO-07-1264T, September 26, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 28 pages) Accessible Text
- Veterans Affairs: Continued Focus on Critical Success Factors Is Essential to Achieving Information Technology Realignment
- GAO-07-844, June 15, 2007
- Summary (HTML) Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 35 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)
