Computer Operations: Improvements Needed in Social Security's Capacity Management Program
IMTEC-89-8
Published: Jan 18, 1989. Publicly Released: Jan 18, 1989.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Social Security Administration's (SSA) computer capacity management program to assess the effectiveness of SSA: (1) management of existing computer resources; and (2) planning for future resource needs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Health and Human Services | 1. The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to ensure that SSA improves its capacity management program as currently scheduled and uses this program to justify future acquisitions. |
SSA completed the scheduled capacity management improvement initiatives by December 1989. Improvements included the establishment of user service agreements for on-line systems; consolidation of responsibility for procurements in order to focus on required expertise and managerial responsibility; and development of updated agency procurement procedures to clarify documentation requirements.
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| Department of Health and Human Services | 2. The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to avoid executing major computer acquisitions until an effective capacity management program is in place. |
SSA agreed with this recommendation and believes that improvements have been made in its Capacity Management Program. For example, SSA has developed a disciplined strategy for acquisition of additional capacity.
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| Department of Health and Human Services | 3. The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to demonstrate, if SSA believes that computer resources must be acquired to support day-to-day operations before an effective capacity management program is in place, that such acquisitions are the most appropriate means for meeting its immediate needs. |
SSA agreed with this recommendation. An analysis has been performed which supports the continuing implementation of SSA goals and public service, according to SSA. The analysis is sound and sufficient and justifies continued procurements.
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| Department of Health and Human Services | 4. The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Commissioner of Social Security to report the lack of effective capacity management as a material control weakness under the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) until an improved program has been implemented. |
SSA disagreed with this recommendation. It believes that GAO did not demonstrate that the SSA mission is in jeopardy. As such, it believes that GAO has no basis for this recommendation. However, in light of actions taken on other recommendations, it is no longer relevant to report this under FMFIA. Therefore, this recommendation is being dropped.
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Topics
Capacity managementComputer capacityComputer equipment contractsComputer modelingComputer resourcesData collectionInformation resources managementInternal controlsIT acquisitionsReporting requirementsSoftwareSystems conversionsComputer resources management