ADP Systems:
Department of Veterans Benefits Modernization Program
IMTEC-88-3: Published: Oct 30, 1987. Publicly Released: Oct 30, 1987.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 275-4659
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Veterans Administration's (VA) Department of Veterans Benefits' efforts to modernize automated computer systems which were resulting in inefficient and costly support for veterans' benefits programs.
GAO found that VA has begun several modernization projects, including: (1) organizing a separate automatic data processing (ADP) staff for the Department, independent of the central ADP office; (2) upgrading existing systems; (3) procuring $11 million in word processing hardware; (4) a requirements analysis; (5) a Department data dictionary; (6) a prototype regional loan system; and (7) designing a prototype optical disk system. GAO also found that: (1) although VA has begun modernization, it has not completed the planning and analysis necessary to demonstrate how it will achieve improved productivity; (2) VA plans to eliminate 1,100 staff positions; and (3) VA may be unable to complete modernization within the projected time frame and estimated cost.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: On November 15, 1988, the Chief Benefits Director reported that all necessary actions have been completed on the GAO report. The development of the 12-Point Modernization Plan addressed the specific requirements of this recommendation. VA mailed a copy of the report to GAO.
Recommendation: To ensure that modernization goals are achieved within established time frames and estimated costs, the Administrator of Veterans Affairs should direct the Department of Veterans Benefits to complete analyses that provide specific goals and objectives against which program progress can be measured, and to validate that the chosen solution is optimal, based on a documented analysis that clearly lays out the costs and benefits of alternatives.
Agency Affected: Veterans Administration
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Dec 23, 2020
-
Information Technology:
DOD Software Development Approaches and Cybersecurity Practices May Impact Cost and ScheduleGAO-21-182: Published: Dec 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 23, 2020.
Dec 15, 2020
-
Information Technology:
Federal Agencies Need to Take Urgent Action to Manage Supply Chain RisksGAO-21-171: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 13, 2020
-
USAJOBS Website:
OPM Has Taken Actions to Assess and Enhance the User ExperienceGAO-21-31: Published: Oct 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 13, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
-
Information Technology:
IRS Needs to Address Operational Challenges and Opportunities to Improve ManagementGAO-21-178T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
-
Information Technology:
Selected Federal Agencies Need to Take Additional Actions to Reduce Contract DuplicationGAO-20-567: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
Sep 29, 2020
-
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Agile Software DevelopmentGAO-20-713SP: Published: Sep 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 29, 2020.
Sep 28, 2020
-
Agile Assessment Guide:
Best Practices for Agile Adoption and ImplementationGAO-20-590G: Published: Sep 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 2020.
Sep 14, 2020
-
Internet of Things:
Information on Use by Federal AgenciesGAO-20-577: Published: Aug 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 2020.
Sep 9, 2020
-
Medicaid Information Technology:
Effective CMS Oversight and States' Sharing of Claims Processing and Information Retrieval Systems Can Reduce CostsGAO-20-179: Published: Sep 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2020.
Sep 8, 2020
-
Information Technology:
Key Attributes of Essential Federal Mission-Critical AcquisitionsGAO-20-249SP: Published: Sep 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 8, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here