Accession Number:

ADA379981

Title:

State Department: Progress and Challenges in Managing for Results

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC NATIONAL SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS DIV

Personal Author(s):

• Nelson, Benjamin F.

Report Date:

2000-07-19

Pagination or Media Count:

18.0

Abstract:

The leadership team at the Department of State has recognized many of its critical management challenges and devoted substantial resources to addressing them. As a result, State has made considerable progress in many difficult areas but still faces significant obstacles in achieving an efficient and effective overseas platform to support U.S. interests. This report focuses on States progress in addressing the challenges it faces in its efforts to achieve a more secure, efficient, and effective network of operations, including its response to the recommendations from the independent advisory panel. The major challenges include better utilizing the Government Performance and Results Act process to improve strategic and performance planning to better achieve overall mission, policy, and operational objectives improving the security of U.S. personnel and facilities at overseas locations in a cost-effective and timely manner determining the right size and location of the U.S. overseas presence to both improve the efficiency of operations and reduce the security burden and upgrading information and financial management systems to further improve communications, accountability, and decision-making. State has indicated that it will need several billions of dollars in capital construction and other investments over several years to achieve operations that can effectively support U.S. overseas interests. To successfully meet many of these challenges, the Department needs to have a clearly articulated vision, strategy, and congressional commitment to make sure that intended results are achieved. The following is a summary of progress, remaining challenges, and obstacles in each of the areas mentioned.

Descriptors:

• *FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• *PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
• *EFFICIENCY
• *PLANNING PROGRAMMING BUDGETING
• INFORMATION SYSTEMS
• FACILITIES
• PROBLEM SOLVING
• AREA SECURITY
• INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICERS

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Government and Political Science
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE