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Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: A Governmentwide Perspective, Performance and Accountability Series
Title: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: A Governmentwide Perspective, Performance and Accountability Series
Date: January 2003
Author: N/A
Institution: Government Accountability Office
Bibliographic Entry: “Major Management Challenges and Program Risks: A Governmentwide Perspective, Performance and Accountability Series” Government Accountability Office. Performance and Accountability. January 2003.
Electronic Link: http://www.gao.gov/pas/2003/d0395.pdf
Key Words: baby boomer retirement, new management trends, transforming federal government, high risk nature of DHS, results oriented, customer focused, collaborative government, human capital strategies, performance based management
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
With the retirement of the baby boomer generation approaching, it is time to evaluate the management facets of the federal government. This report identifies operation challenges facing the U.S. federal government in the 21st century.
The federal government is in a period of difficult change and transition. Some of the major trends facing the government are different types of security threats, the status of national preparedness, globalization, the shift to knowledge based economics and advances in science and technology. All of these serve as an impetus for government agencies to change their cultures and operations. Overall, organizations should strive to be more results oriented, customer focused and collaborative in nature.
The IRS, DOD, U.S. Postal Service and DHS are highlighted as examples in this government wide survey. The first three are in varying stages of reform; however DHS provides a unique challenge, and is thus classified as high risk. First, the implementation and transformation of DHS will be immense, the multitude of components now being added together under the umbrella of DHS will be difficult to coordinate, and the inability of DHS to act according to its purpose could pose significant security risks for the country illustrate why DHS is at risk. GAO has also conducted in-depth research on the individual agencies in subsequent reports.
GAO concludes that successful agency transitions must build upon the principles of effective management, including strategic planning; organizational alignment; human capital strategies, performance based management and budgeting focused on results, and sound financial, information technology, acquisition, change and knowledge management practices.
Name of Researcher: Julie Curry
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: September 27, 2007