The staggering magnitude and complexity of federal programs make them vulnerable to serious breakdowns that impact performance. Exposure is increased when agencies struggle with antiquated, inadequately integrated IT systems and processes; high-risk areas--some of which seem to have eternal life; siloed business operations that can be expensive and ineffective; and program fragmentation, overlap, and duplication.
This Journal of Government Financial Management article, reprinted with permission from the Association of Government Accountants, details six actions that can lay the groundwork to curb federal program breakdowns and boost performance.
- Keep your fingers on the program performance pulse
- Find the right balance between risk and control
- Identify root causes of performance shortfalls
- Leverage the audit process
- Vigorously address open recommendations and attack high-risks
- Eliminate fragmentation, overlap, and duplication
