Veterans' Employment and Training Service

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) is a powerful tool that brings discipline to program management by requiring agencies to clarify their missions, set goals, measure performance, and report on their accomplishments. GAO testified that the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) focuses more on process than on results. VETS has drafted a strategic plan and performance measures, consistent with GPRA, and has submitted it to the Office of Management and Budget for review. GAO believes that the proposed performance measures for employment and training services are an improvement over VETS' current approach because of their focus on results. But the plan has not received final approval from the Department of Labor or been incorporated into an overall developmental strategic plan. In addition, development of a strategic plan and better performance measures do not guarantee improved performance. Continued senior management commitment and effective implementation are necessary to achieved the improved agency performance envisioned by GPRA.

GAO noted that: (1) GPRA is a powerful tool that brings discipline to program management by requiring agencies to clarify their missions, establish goals and a strategy for reaching them, measure performance, and report on their accomplishments; (2) GAO's work at VETS has shown that its current performance measures focus more on process than on results; (3) VETS has now developed a draft strategic plan and performance measures, consistent with GPRA, and has submitted it to the Office of Management and Budget for review; (4) GAO believes the proposed performance measures for employment and training services are an improvement over VETS' current approach because of their increased focus on results; (5) but the plan, so far, is a draft and has not received final approval by the Department of Labor or been incorporated into an overall departmental strategic plan; (6) in addition, development of a strategic plan and improved performance measures does not guarantee improved performance; and (7) continued senior management commitment and effective implementation are necessary to achieve the improved agency performance that is envisioned by GPRA.