NASA: Major Challenges for Management (Testimony, 10/06/93,
GAO/T-NSIAD-94-18).

Several fundamental management challenges face NASA, including the need
to bring plans in line with likely budgets, manage systems development
efforts more effectively, improve operations and oversight, and preserve
U.S. aeronautical leadership.  GAO notes that NASA has been operating in
a decentralized fashion, with its field centers having considerable
latitude in many areas, including the award and administration of almost
all of the agency's contracts.  For this approach to be effective,
headquarters must set clear expectations and carefully monitor and
measure the centers' management of their own activities, as well as
those of NASA's contractors.  Although top NASA management seems
committed to improvement, delivering on it will require new and improved
management systems as well as perseverance and strong leadership to
overcome ingrained attitudes and resistance to change.  Continuous
vigorous oversight will be needed to ensure an affordable and effective
NASA.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-NSIAD-94-18
     TITLE:  NASA: Major Challenges for Management
      DATE:  10/06/93
   SUBJECT:  Mission budgeting
             Financial management systems
             Chief financial officers
             Future budget projections
             Cost analysis
             Agency missions
             Procurement procedures
             Program management
             Internal controls
IDENTIFIER:  NASA Space Shuttle Program
             NASA Space Station Program
             NASA Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility Program
             NASA Earth Observing System
             NASA National Aero-Space Plane Program
             NASA Vision 21 Strategic Plan
             
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