Annual performance reports are to subsequently report on the degree to which performance goals were met. Assessment of DOT’s Progress and Strategies in Achieving Selected Key Outcomes

This section discusses our analysis of DOT’s performance in achieving selected key outcomes and the strategies the agency has in place, particularly strategic human capital management and information technology, for accomplishing these outcomes. DOT provides a clear and comprehensive discussion of the performance data. DOT did not indicate why the agency failed to meet the 2000 goal. Comparison of DOT’s Fiscal Year 2000 Performance Report and Fiscal Year 2002 Performance Plan With the Prior Year Report and Plan for Selected Key Outcomes

For the selected key outcomes, this section describes major improvements or remaining weaknesses in DOT’s (1) fiscal year 2000 performance report in comparison with its fiscal year 1999 report, and (2) fiscal year 2002 performance plan in comparison with its fiscal year 2001 plan. We found that DOT’s performance report discussed the agency’s progress in resolving many of these challenges. Appendix II: Comments From the Department of Transportation
Why GAO Did This Study

The Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 requires agencies to produce annual performance reports. GAO reviewed the Department of Transportation's (DOT) performance reports for fiscal years 2000 and 2002 to assess its progress in achieving selected key outcomes in important mission areas.

What GAO Found

This report (1) assesses the progress DOT has made in accomplishing these outcomes and the strategies the agency has in place to achieve them and (2) compares DOT's fiscal year 2000 performance report and fiscal year 2002 performance plan with the agency's prior year performance report and plan for these outcomes. DOT's consolidated performance report makes it clear that DOT achieved only limited progress in fiscal year 2000 toward achieving the selected outcomes and that the agency directly indicated that its current strategies are not likely to result in achievement of the goals. DOT provided a clear, well-organized discussion of performance goals, measures, and data in both fiscal year 2000 and fiscal year 2002 performance plans.