Audit of VA’s Office of Information Technology Strategic Human Capital Management

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
11-00324-20
VA Office
Information and Technology (OIT)
Report Author
Office of Audits and Evaluations
Report Type
Audit
Recommendations
9
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG conducted this audit to determine the effectiveness of OIT’s strategic human capital management program. We found OIT has not instituted a human capital strategy for its workforce of approximately 7,300 employees and has been managing its human resources in an ad hoc manner. OIT experienced vacancies and excessive turnover in key leadership positions; has not developed succession plans; lacked the human resources needed to move forward with a strategic approach to managing its personnel in line with Federal guidelines; has not fully implemented competency models; and has not identified competency gaps. Additionally, OIT has not assessed its use of contractors to supplement staff nor has OIT established a mechanism to evaluate the success of its human capital initiatives. OIG recommendations include assigning adequate leadership and staff to guide the program, developing a leadership succession plan, and completing a competency gap analysis.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology establish a strategic human capital plan development process that includes Office of Information Technology's senior management, managers, and employees along with appropriate stakeholders from across VA and its administrations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology develop and implement a strategic human capital plan that includes roles and responsibilities; human capital goals, objectives, and strategies; performance measures; and milestones as outlined in the Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology ensure the Office of Information Technology's strategic human capital plan is aligned with VA's missions, goals, and objectives; and integrated into the Information Technology and VA Strategic Plans.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology ensure the Office of Information Technology has an adequate number of leadership and staff positions assigned to administer its strategic human capital program.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology develop a leadership succession plan, including key actions and associated milestones for its implementation.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology ensure that all information technology leadership and employee competency assessments and gap analyses are completed.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology develop leadership and workforce development and hiring strategies for closing identified competency gaps.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology maintain a current listing of contracts used by each OIT organizational element and the functions performed to identify areas where OIT uses contractors to address competency gaps.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
We recommended that the Assistant Secretary for Information Technology institute metrics and a process to measure the effectiveness of its strategies for evaluating and improving human capital management.