Government Reorganization: Issues and Principles

GAO discussed issues concerning government reorganization. GAO noted that: (1) the current reorganization agenda will be even more difficult to implement due to the current emphasis on downsizing and budgetary pressures; (2) useful reorganization principles include an integrated approach to reorganization, specific identifiable goals, choosing the right vehicle to accomplish the goals, and proper implementation and oversight; (3) failure to integrate certain government activities has led to fractured regulatory jurisdiction, overlapping programs, redundancy, and waste; (4) a consensus is needed as to how the reorganization will be accomplished and reorganization goals must anticipate rather than respond to current pressures; (5) implementation of these goals will require defining federal, state, and local governments' roles and responsibilities, and the organization and tools the federal government needs to fulfill these goals; (6) proper implementation of the reorganization plans will require good business practices, information systems, performance measurements, financial management, and workforce planning; and (7) Congress could improve its oversight of government management reforms by holding comprehensive annual oversight hearings based on program performance and other agency information.