After proving itself an effective way to correct problematic IT issues and foster savings, all the information technology projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs will now be managed under its program management and accountability system (PMAS), officials said.
First announced by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki in June 2009, PMAS requires IT projects – many of which have a focus on healthcare – to deliver new functionality within six months and keeps projects tied to established milestones. VA is using PMAS and other management techniques to reform its IT management practices and provide better value, efficiency and effectiveness for taxpayers' dollars, said officials.
"We will end projects that don't work, streamline those that do, and focus on the responsibility we have for achieving maximum value for our Veterans," said Secretary Shinseki.
In late July VA also temporarily halted 45 of VA's most problematic computer projects that were either behind schedule or over budget to review whether they should be continued. Over the past six months, VA restarted 32 of these projects, stopped 12, and continued the review of one. Officials said these actions resulted in cost avoidance of $54 million for VA during fiscal year 2010.
"While we have stopped the 12 projects, the real saving is in the increased probability of success for the projects we changed and restarted," said Roger W. Baker, VA's assistant secretary for information and technology. "Holding each project accountable for regularly delivering value is key to getting the most out of our IT budget. While much work remains to be done, PMAS has shown what can be achieved by forcing measured demonstrations of performance."
Officials said PMAS, in conjunction with the analytical tools available through the IT Dashboard, will ensure early identification and correction of problematic IT projects. The Internet-based IT Dashboard launched in June 2009, is a clearinghouse of information that allows the American people to track federal information technology initiatives and hold the government accountable for progress and results.
"Better accountability and focus on results lead to better services for our Veterans and better value for the American taxpayer," said Federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra. "Investing in what works is about continuing projects that are effective and making tough choices when projects, however well intentioned, are broken and failing. We owe it to the American people to make sure their dollars are being spent wisely."
