GAO: OPM Faces Challenges in Reorganization Efforts

Almost a year after the Office of Personnel Management started reorganization, the reform remains as a challenge for the agency and its partner organizations. A new report issued Tuesday by the Government Accountability Office highlights that OPM, the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration failed to implement proper reform efforts, including an implementation plan. 

The Trump administration proposed moving responsibilities of OPM to other agencies in June 2018. The agencies working on the program did not establish outcome-oriented goals, a cost-benefit analysis and coordination with Congress, employees and other key stakeholders. GAO also found OPM and GSA did not develop plans to address management challenges that may affect the reorganization.

“As the Congress and administration consider whether or how to restructure OPM, it will be important to retain the capacity to execute certain government-wide, strategic human capital functions, regardless of the decision made about the organizational arrangement,” GAO said.