EDA's Management Challenges

GAO provided information on the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), focusing on: (1) the major EDA management systems and processes that identify areas of concern to EDA officials and stakeholders; (2) any changes that could be implemented to improve these systems and processes; and (3) ways EDA could strengthen its agencywide management so it could be effective regardless of changes in responsibility. GAO noted that: (1) EDA is facing three fundamental management challenges in its efforts to meet its mission and take on additional responsibilities; (2) the first challenge is for EDA to articulate a clear direction by securing all stakeholders' agreement on EDA missions, goals, and objectives; (3) the second challenge is for EDA to gather and use more complete performance information to better manage its programs; (4) the third challenge is for EDA to ensure that its management systems and organizational structure support mission-related goals and objectives; (5) the Government Performance and Results Act requires EDA to develop a strategic management process by the end of fiscal year 1997; and (6) according to EDA officials, EDA is currently developing a strategic management process and it has begun to realign its management systems to better support EDA mission and goals.