OMB’s April  2017 guidance to agencies on their reform plans lifted the federal hiring  freeze. Key Questions to Assess Agency Reforms

Given the potential benefits and challenges developing and implementing  agency reform efforts, Congress and the executive branch need the tools  and information to help evaluate agencies’ reform proposals and ensure  they are effectively implemented. Involving Employees and Key Stakeholders

Our prior work has shown that it is important for agencies to directly and  continuously involve their employees, the Congress, other key  stakeholders—such as other federal partners, state and local  governments, and members of the public—in the development of any  major reforms. Implementing the Reforms

Our prior work on organizational transformations show that incorporating  change management practices improves the likelihood of successful  reforms. Agency Comments and Our Evaluation

We provided a draft of this report to the Director of the Office of  Management and Budget for review and comment. OMB staff provided  technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate. Key contributors to this report are listed in appendix III. GAO, Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication: An Evaluation and  Management Guide, GAO-15-49SP (Washington, D.C.:  Apr.
Why GAO Did This Study

On March 13, 2017, the President issued an executive order requiring a comprehensive reorganization of executive branch agencies. In April 2017, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided guidance to federal agencies for developing their reform and workforce reduction proposals. Past proposals to reform and reorganize government have not always come to fruition and can take years to implement fully. GAO's prior work has shown that successful reforms or transformations depend upon following change management practices, such as agreement on reform goals, and the involvement of the Congress, federal employees, and other key stakeholders.
This report identifies the key questions that Congress, OMB, and agencies can use to assess the development and implementation of agency reforms. To meet this objective, GAO reviewed its prior work and leading practices on organizational transformations; collaboration; government streamlining and efficiency; fragmentation, overlap, and duplication; high-risk; and on other agency longstanding management challenges. GAO also identified subject matter specialists knowledgeable about issues related to government reform and strategic human capital management who reviewed and commented on GAO's draft questions.
GAO is not making recommendations to OMB in this report. OMB staff provided technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate.