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New GAO report on DHS: progress, but looong way to go
By WDavidStephenson | September 6, 2007
The new Government 
Accountability Office report on DHS notes that it takes at least 5-7 years for major government programs to undergo successful transformations (DHS is only 4 years old), but then goes on to say that the secretariat has a long way to go to achieve its mission.
Given how many agencies were consolidated into DHS, the fact that the GAO says it has made … progress in transforming its component agencies into a fully functioning department” is noteworthy, but the investigators say it hasn’t adopted a comprehensive transformational strategy, which is obviously critical given DHS’ daunting mission.
The investigators gave DHS credit for improving information sharing with state and local partners (although many on that end of the pipeline still say they have a long way to go), for improving “moderate” progress in immigration control and “modest” improvement in border patroling (hey, Lou Dobbs, red meat for you…). The only “substantial progress” grade was for maritime security.
Other tasks getting moderate grades included surface transportation and critical infrastructure protection, and real property management (whoa. Did they seen the NECN expose on the Federal Protective Service?).
The investigators faulted DHS for not yet fully adopting and applied a risk management approach.
As the Washington Post’s analysis concludes:
“Hobbled by inadequate funding, unclear priorities, continuing reorganizations and the absence of an overarching strategy, the Department of Homeland Security is failing to achieve its mission of preventing and responding to terrorist attacks or natural disasters …”
No one underestimates the challenge, but it certainly seems as if DHS needs a renewed commitment to real transformation, and to outside-the-box thinking — not just consolidation and integration — if it is to really meet its mission.
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homeland security DHS FEMA Department of Homeland Security War on Terror antiterrorism government IT government web 2.0 homeland security 2.0 disaster management 2.0 disaster management business continuity disaster planning disaster planning 2.0 GAO
Topics: policy and politics, e-gov transformation | |
