3: Reexamination of Federal Programs

Help Transform the Government by Supporting a Broad-Based Reexamination of Federal Programs

Other Information:

The federal government is in a period of profound transition and faces an array of challenges and opportunities to enhance performance, ensure accountability, and position the nation for the 21st century. Major trends—such as diffuse security threats, increasing interconnectedness of global markets and economies, and rapid technological advances—drive the need for federal agencies to transform their cultures and operations. In view of the broad trends and growing fiscal pressures, the federal government needs to engage in a fundamental reexamination of what government does, how it does business, how it is financed, and in some instances who does the government’s business. The federal government must work closely with other governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector—both domestically and internationally—to achieve results. Part of this must entail a reassessment of federal missions and strategies and the entire mix of policy tools available to address national objectives. Because the public expects demonstrable results from the federal government, government leaders need to increase strategic planning, address management challenges and high-risk issues, use integrated approaches, enhance their agencies’ results orientation, and ensure accountability. Examining existing programs, operations, tax policies, and tax administration can create much-needed fiscal flexibility to address emerging needs. Moreover, addressing today’s priorities must be balanced against the long-term fiscal pressures of financing existing programs and operations. This third strategic goal guides us in our efforts to help transform the federal government’s role and its efforts to meet 21st century challenges. The accompanying strategic objectives focus on the comprehensive reassessment necessary to position the government to take advantage of emerging opportunities and meet strategic challenges. Specifically, we focus on the government’s role in achieving national goals in an increasingly networked environment and its ability to deliver, and account for, high performance.

Objective(s):

3.1: National Objectives

3.2: Results-Oriented Transformation

3.3: Key Challenges and Risks

3.4: Fiscal Position and Gap

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