Recommendations for Executive Action

1. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: VA issued policy on software development controls, risk analysis, and contingency plans in October 1987. VA implemented an interim policy and began holding its management office accountable for it in February 1987.

   Recommendation: The Administrator of Veterans Affairs should report the lack of sufficient software development controls and continue to report the lack of risk analyses and contingency plans as material control weaknesses under the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act until: (1) appropriate software development controls have been implemented; (2) risk analyses, as well as needed corrected action identified by such analyses, have been completed for all computer centers; and (3) contingency plans have been developed, certified, and tested.

   Agency Affected: Veterans Administration

2. Status: Closed - Implemented

   Comments: VA recognized and began holding its management office accountable for the existing and expanded DHCP system. VA is instituting procedures to: (1) collect cost-benefit data; (2) implement software controls; (3) track software/hardware problems and correct them; (4) implement new security policy; (5) restrict software release; (6) define data requirements; and (7) monitor computer capacity.

   Recommendation: The Administrator of Veterans Affairs should hold the Management Office accountable for ensuring that the existing and expanded DHCP system is effectively managed and adequately protected. At a minimum, this office should: (1) institute procedures to collect work-load and cost-benefit data on prototype modules at test sites; (2) implement controls to ensure that software is adequately tested, documented, and approved, and that software and hardware problems are systematically tracked and corrected; (3) implement appropriate internal controls to protect data, equipment, and facilities as required in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-130; (4) issue a policy to restrict release of DHCP software under the Freedom of Information Act; (5) ensure that the data requirements are defined and incorporated in the DHCP modules so that the data can be efficiently assessed by system users; and (6) establish policies and procedures for regular system monitoring and assessment.

   Agency Affected: Veterans Administration

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