Federal Human Resources department targeted by audit complaints
Office of Personnel Management Faces Persistent Challenges, According to GAO Report
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report highlighting the persistent challenges faced by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in areas such as technology, human capital, and workforce skills.
The report focuses on the Office of Personnel Management's IT issues and workforce skill gaps, which are part of the broader federal IT and human capital landscape. One of the main concerns is the stalled implementation of the Technology Business Management (TBM) framework, intended to improve IT spending transparency and cost management. Despite growing costs, most agencies, including OPM, have not developed concrete plans or fully adopted recommended TBM practices.
Regarding human capital management, the GAO underscores ongoing personnel issues at OPM, including skills gaps in critical areas such as project management, organizational performance, leadership development, and data analysis. The report notes that OPM itself needs an actionable plan identifying mission-critical occupations, associated skill gaps, and measurement metrics to close those gaps within its workforce.
In addition, the GAO recommends broader IT asset management and portfolio strategies to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and cut costs across federal agencies, including OPM. Effective IT asset management and modernization through annual portfolio reviews are advised to provide a "single pane of glass" view into IT systems, reduce waste and overhead, and enhance cybersecurity posture.
Despite some progress, OPM has failed to implement all the GAO recommendations on workforce planning and training. The report notes that OPM has not yet demonstrated that it has incorporated key aspects of IT project management as part of its modernization effort. The priority recommendations include improving IT systems to reduce retirement application processing time, implementing workforce planning activities for its IT staff, better management of its permanent electronic records, and improved software license management.
The report also calls out OPM for not doing enough to stop false federal employee health benefits (FEHB) claims, which, if addressed, could save taxpayers more than a billion dollars. OPM has made some progress, but not enough, according to the GAO.
In conclusion, the GAO's latest reports urge urgent action by OMB and OPM. OMB must resolve long-delayed TBM framework issues to improve IT spending transparency and management, while OPM must tackle workforce skill gaps with a concrete strategic plan to strengthen federal human capital. Both agencies should also advance IT asset management practices to reduce duplication and boost efficiency in government IT operations.
The GAO sent a report on open recommendations to the Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor, and last week, the GAO issued three reports to the General Services Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Homeland Security, all addressing outstanding auditor recommendations.
References:
- GAO-22-105337
- GAO-22-105338
- GAO-22-105339
- GAO-22-105340
- GAO-22-105341
- The GAO's report advises the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address the stalled implementation of AI and technology, including the Technology Business Management (TBM) framework, to improve IT spending transparency and cost management.
- OPM is urged to develop a strategic plan to close skills gaps in critical areas like project management, organizational performance, leadership development, and data analysis, using software for policy-and-legislation and human capital management.
- To reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and enhance cybersecurity posture, the GAO encourages OPM to implement effective IT asset management and modernization strategies, as part of the general news and political discourse on federal IT and human capital issues.
