The Federal Aviation Administration's efforts toward air traffic control modernization finally are on the right track, at least according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. But the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Defense still have much work to do.
GAO last week issued its biennal list of "federal programs, policies and operations that are at 'high risk' for waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement or in need of broad-based transformation." Centered on a transition to the satellite-based "Next Generation" system, FAA's ATC modernization program was not on that list for the first time in 14 years.
GAO said FAA has addressed "root causes" of past problems (including "cost overruns, schedule delays and performance shortfalls"), committed to "sustained progress"; and "yielded results" by deploying new systems around the country.
Programs still on the 2009 list include "Implementing and Transforming the Department of Homeland Security" and the Defense Department's "Approach to Business Transformation," which includes the
Defense Travel System. We'll see if a new administration can straighten out DHS and DOD in time to avoid such ignominy in 2011.
