Results-Oriented Government: Improvements to DHS's Planning Process Would Enhance Usefulness and Accountability

DHS's new strategic plan was released in September 2008. The plan has a section titled "Stakeholder Outreach", which states that it was essential for DHS to solicit external input while developing the plan because Federal, State, local and tribal governments, as well as the private sector and academia are critical stakeholders. The plan explains that DHS mounted an expansive outreach effort to these stakeholders working with DHS's Private Sector Office, the Homeland Security Advisory Council, and the Office of Intergovernmental Programs. DHS solicited the input from a wide variety of governmental, non-profit, and private sector organizations. In addition, DHS's Office of Strategic Plans solicited comments from key partners, including the Department of Defense, Department of State, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Government Accountability Office.

GAO received the 60-day letter on September 19, 2005. DHS concurred with the recommendation and said that it has developed this information, most of which is in the Future Years Homeland Security Program and Performance Budget Overview (FYHSP). DHS released its updated strategic plan in October of 2008. The plan explains that the FYHSP demonstrates how the long-term goals in DHS's strategic plan are linked to annual planned and actual performance metrics and levels. Further, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 requires DHS to update the Future Years Homeland Security Program (FYHSP) annually. The FYHSP details DHS's five-year program resource and performance plans to meet DHS strategic goals and objectives -- it is the embodiment of the strategic plan. The strategic plan explains that the FYHSP, along with the strategic plan and annual performance reports, provide key management and reporting mechanisms by which DHS implements its performance management framework to assess accomplishments of the strategic objectives and goals.

In September 2008, DHS released its updated strategic plan covering the years 2008-2013. The new plan addresses this recommendation. For example, the strategic plan has a section titled "external challenges" which explains that, to ameliorate the effect of natural threats to the country, DHS will continue its efforts to develop and sustain national partnerships across all levels of government, voluntary organizations, and the private sector to build an effective national emergency response system. In addition, the strategic plan has a section titled "Schedule for Future Program Evaluations" which explains that DHS will complete a Quarterly Performance Report, which provides DHS leadership with a summary of the achievements of their strategic results, with performance measures, PART results, PMA scores, and progress made on each of the Secretary's priorities. Finally, the strategic plan explains that the resources required to achieve the goals are included in the Future Years Homeland Security Program, as are timelines for achieving the long term goals.