Video Teleconferencing: GAO's Pilot Test

GAO presented the results of its evaluation of the legislative branch-sponsored pilot test of the use of video teleconferencing (VTC) in performing the GAO mission. GAO noted that the 6-month pilot test between its headquarters and its Seattle, Washington, regional office clearly demonstrated that VTC: (1) significantly increased face-to-face participation of essential staff in critical assignment meetings and allowed the inclusion of personnel typically excluded because of travel constraints; (2) facilitated meeting efficiency, with well-prepared participants and quick decisionmaking; (3) eliminated the need for many essential trips between headquarters and the regional office, saving staff travel time and costs; (4) improved communications and facilitated the dissemination of more detailed information in meetings; (5) effectively delivered two training courses to regional offices, and eliminated training staff travel time and costs; (6) could perform some human resource management and administrative functions; and (7) was not suitable for certain activities, such as data collection, worked better when participants already knew each other or had met in a previous teleconference, presented some hearing difficulties in large group situations, and may necessitate a brief orientation to make first-time users more comfortable.