United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-02-13 monographic deposited born digital 17 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-449T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T P0b002ee18037d6ae f:d08449t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T GAO-08-449T Accountability Cost overruns Federal procurement Future budget projections Information management Information resources management Information technology IT investment management Performance measures Program management Schedule slippages Strategic planning Technology assessment Technology modernization programs Veterans Testimony A80736 The use of information technology (IT) is crucial to the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) mission to promote the health, welfare, and dignity of all veterans in recognition of their service to the nation. In this regard, the department's fiscal year 2009 budget proposal includes about $2.4 billion to support IT development, operations, and maintenance. VA has, however, experienced challenges in managing its IT projects and initiatives, including cost overruns, schedule slippages, and performance problems. In an effort to confront these challenges, the department is undertaking a realignment to centralize its IT management structure. This testimony summarizes the department's actions to realign its management structure to provide greater authority and accountability over its IT budget and resources and the impact of these actions to date. In developing this testimony, GAO reviewed previous work on the department's realignment and related budget issues, analyzed pertinent documentation, and interviewed VA officials to determine the current status and impact of the department's efforts to centralize the management of its IT budget and operations. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T.pdf GAO-08-449T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-449T Testimony GAO-08-449T; Information Technology: VA Has Taken Important Steps to Centralize Control of Its Resources, but Effectiveness Depends on Additional Planned Actions; Accountability Cost overruns Federal procurement Future budget projections Information management Information resources management Information technology IT investment management Performance measures Program management Schedule slippages Strategic planning Technology assessment Technology modernization programs Veterans