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FAA Information Resources: Agency Needs to Correct Widespread Deficiencies

IMTEC-91-43 Published: Jun 18, 1991. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) management of its information resources; and (2) whether FAA was acting to implement needed agency-wide corrective measures.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Sort descending Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should report the lack of a complete strategic IRM plan as a material weakness under the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA). This weakness should remain outstanding until the FAA segment of the Department of Transportation's strategic plan is modified to cover all of the agency's information resources.
Closed – Implemented
The Department of Transportation reported this as a material weakness in its December 31, 1991 FMFIA report.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator, FAA, should appoint a top executive as the agency's senior IRM official who will spend time solely on information resources activities, and implement a senior-level executive IRM steering committee to guide the agency's efforts.
Closed – Implemented
The FAA Administrator appointed a Chief Information Officer (CIO) who is to report directly to the Administrator and have responsibility for all operational and administrative information resources.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator, FAA, should direct the agency's senior IRM official, with the advice of the senior-level executive IRM steering committee, to develop and complete a strategic IRM plan for FAA within the next 12 months that considers the information technology needs of the entire agency.
Closed – Implemented
FAA has completed its strategic IRM plan.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator, FAA, should direct the agency's senior IRM official, with the advice of the senior-level executive IRM steering committee, to raise the level of knowledge and awareness of IRM in the organization by providing IRM training to program staff.
Closed – Implemented
The FAA published "Information Sharing: A Guide for Investing in Human Capital for the 21st Century--Using Information Technology for Increased Technologies," in November 1994. This guide identifies the competencies needed by FAA's executives, mid-level managers, information technology specialists, and customers to help them better manage and use information technology as a resource to meet business requirements. The guide also lists information technology courses that are available. The guide was sent to all FAA divisions in November 1994.
Federal Aviation Administration The Administrator, FAA, should direct the agency's senior IRM official, with the advice of the senior-level executive IRM steering committee, to implement the requirements of applicable laws, regulations, and guidance in acquiring and managing information resources.
Closed – Implemented
DOT agreed to implement this recommendation. FAA is assessing key processes to identify necessary changes.

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Topics

Air traffic control systemsComputer capacityData collectionInformation resources managementInformation systemsIT acquisitionsRegulatory agenciesSystems evaluationComputer resources managementInformation resources