WASHINGTON -- "In my confirmation hearing, I promised to develop a comprehensive and integrated information technology system that will allow VA to be more effective, more efficient, and more productive for America's veterans and their families," said Secretary Principi. "VA's goal is to redefine the way VA does business and to end the practice of "stove-piped," non-connected, incompatible IT systems."
Last spring, Principi established a task force, formally named the "VA Enterprise Architecture Innovation Team," to deliver on his promise. The task force was made up of 20 VA senior executives from its three administrations, as well as VA's support offices and information technology programs.
The task force examined, with the assistance of experts from the private and public sectors, a wide range of issues affecting VA's information technology including computer security, privacy, business processes, data systems, telecommunications and the integration of over 700 different systems throughout the country.
Numerous meetings and briefings were held to give the task force a three-dimensional, comprehensive perspective of the problems and issues facing VA, veterans and information technology in the coming years. The report, entitled "Enterprise Architecture: Strategy, Governance, & Implementation," represents the culmination of their efforts.
"The secretary's vision is for VA to be the innovators in information technology -- the agency to emulate," said Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology Dr. John A. Gauss. "Consequently, it is time for our information systems to change to keep up with new technologies and with the higher expectations of our stakeholders."
Enterprise architecture represents the guiding principle for streamlining and modernizing VA's information technology. The "enterprise" is VA and the "architecture" is the complex framework of processes, systems and programs by which VA provides health care and benefits to veterans and their families.
At the end of the process, veterans will need to register for benefits and health care only once. Veteran information will be available anywhere, anytime, to any authorized user at all VA facilities. Security and privacy will be ensured and maintained. VA health care and benefits providers will be able to assist veterans in a timely and comprehensive manner. Ultimately, VA will be able to save time, effort and money.
"Enterprise architecture, as part of VA's overall IT strategy, will be a valuable and integral blue-print to accomplish this goal," added Secretary Principi. "It is a tremendous undertaking and thanks to the task force's untiring efforts we now have a detailed approach to begin the hard work ahead."
