Management of VA: Improved Human Resource Planning Needed to Achieve Strategic Goals
HRD-93-10
Published: Mar 18, 1993. Publicly Released: Mar 18, 1993.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) current and future human resource needs and how its approach to human resource management supports its needs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should develop an ongoing, comprehensive human resource planning process as a systematic, Department-wide effort. |
Closed – Implemented
VA has implemented a human resources planning process. VA's Human Resources Steering Committee provides a forum to link strategic changes in human resources to the department's strategic plan.
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| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should assign to the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration (ASHRA) responsibility for facilitating this process. In conjunction with the administrations, ASHRA should: (1) develop human resource planning guidance and ensure integration with VA strategic planning and budgeting processes; (2) train line managers and human resource professionals in human resource planning; (3) organize and develop human resource professionals throughout VA to become collaborative, future-oriented partners to line managers; and (4) assess the types of data needed for human resource planning and determine their availability in VA. These include projections of optimum levels of staffing and skill mixes. ASHRA should work jointly with the administrations to ensure that the planning process addresses the critical human resource concerns of VA managers. |
Closed – Implemented
VA developed a mission statement, set of core values, and a vision for human resource management and identified 7 critical success factors to arrive at the vision. The human resource steering committee is a senior group and should provide a forum to link strategic change in human resources to the Department's Strategic Plan and budget. VA has initiated an ongoing developmental process in which line managers and human resource professionals work collaboratively to identify strategic human resource initiatives. The needs of human resource staff and managers have been incorporated into the Pay VA system, which will replace the PAID system.
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| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should assign responsibility for preparing administration-specific human resource plans that support the VA strategic vision to the heads of each administration: the Under Secretary for Health; the Under Secretary for Benefits; and the Director of the National Cemetery System. |
Closed – Implemented
VA's strategic plan sets forth responsibilities for the administrators. Also a key component of the overall Department plan was creation of career development, education and training as a unified and strategic initiative.
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Employee incentivesEnvironmental monitoringGeneral management reviewsHealth care servicesStaff utilizationLabor relationsLabor forcePersonnel managementProjectionsVeterans benefits