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GAO Highly Critical of VA’s IT Project Management

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently assessed two critical Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) information technology (IT) projects. The GAO evaluated the programs to determine what progress, if any, the VA is making.

The VA attempted to construct an outpatient appointment-scheduling system. That system came at a price tag of $127 million and the VA failed to build the system. According to the GAO, the VA's poor management caused that failure.

Delivering completed projects on time and within budget has always been a problem for the VA's IT department. The GAO evaluated the VA's newest attempt at a scheduling system, which was designed to replace their outdated system. In their final determination, the GAO called the system an "abject failure." The VA spent $127 million over 9 years on the system without being able deliver a single one of the system's "planned capabilities."

Poor management was not the only source the GAO found with the VA's inability to successfully produce a project.

They also found the VA lacked:

• acquisition planning;
• requirements analysis;
• testing;
• progress reporting;
• risk management; and
• oversight.

The GAO also looked at the VA's attempt to build a benefits system for veterans utilizing the Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits. The VA's project was designed to help veterans learn of new offered benefits. To launch the project, the VA used a new software approach, and ended up delivering their first two releases on time.

The VA has made improvements under current leadership. VA officials responded to the GAO's charges regarding VA inefficiency by claiming the analysis of the VA's programs happened prior to current management.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.