Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Veterans Administration's (VA) Department of Veterans Benefits' efforts to modernize automated computer systems which were resulting in inefficient and costly support for veterans' benefits programs.
GAO found that VA has begun several modernization projects, including: (1) organizing a separate automatic data processing (ADP) staff for the Department, independent of the central ADP office; (2) upgrading existing systems; (3) procuring $11 million in word processing hardware; (4) a requirements analysis; (5) a Department data dictionary; (6) a prototype regional loan system; and (7) designing a prototype optical disk system. GAO also found that: (1) although VA has begun modernization, it has not completed the planning and analysis necessary to demonstrate how it will achieve improved productivity; (2) VA plans to eliminate 1,100 staff positions; and (3) VA may be unable to complete modernization within the projected time frame and estimated cost.
