State Department: Key Transformation Practices Could Have Helped in Restructuring Arms Control and Nonproliferation Bureaus
In 2004, the Department of State (State) Inspector General (IG) concluded that State's three-bureau structure for conducting arms control and nonproliferation policy did not adequately address post-September 11 challenges, including possible terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction. The IG also noted that State had yet to formalize the responsibilities of the three bureaus in its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), which sets out agency organization and functions. Between late 2005 and early 2006, State created a new two-bureau structure to better address these issues and improve efficiency GAO was asked to assess the extent to which State addressed (1) the objectives of its 2005-2006 reorganization and (2) key transformation practices. For this effort, GAO reviewed State documents pertaining to the reorganization and staffing data for the affected bureaus in the periods before and after the reorganization and interviewed former and current State officials in Washington, D.C.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | To better clarify the roles and responsibilities of the two new bureaus created in this restructuring, the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation and the Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation--and to fulfill a pledge made to Congress--the Secretary of State should formally delineate the roles and responsibilities of each bureau in the FAM. |
In a September 2009 letter, State concurred with the recommendation. State updated the FAM as of February 4, 2011 to delineate the role of the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance (in 1 FAM 441) and as of April 28, 2011 to delineate the role of the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (in 1 FAM 450), as GAO had recommended.
|
| Department of State | To better achieve stated goals and to implement effective and credible organizational mergers or transformations, the Secretary of State should modify the FAM to direct that the key practices and steps associated with successful organizational mergers and transformations are incorporated into subsequent bureau reorganizations. |
In a September 2009 letter, State concurred with the recommendation. State updated the FAM as of February 4, 2011 to delineate the role of the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance (in 1 FAM 441) and as of April 28, 2011 to delineate the role of the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (in 1 FAM 450), as GAO had recommended.
|