New Blue: Additional Efforts Could Improve Project Management Efficiency

The audit objectives were to evaluate the extent to which GAO has (1) followed leading practices for managing the New Blue project; and (2) tracked the cost and schedule performance of the project. GAO initiated the New Blue project as an effort to publish web-based products in a way that increases automation in report development. While the development efforts were largely consistent with recommended practices, the OIG identified several opportunities for improvement, in scheduling, cost estimating and requirements management practices. The OIG recommended that GAO update its procedures to ensure that all recommended practices are followed in order to provide management with key information for decision making for the remainder of the New Blue project and future system development efforts.