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A Paper by a Panel of the

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENT

September 2009

For Internal Use Only

For Internal Use Only

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MChapmanLine

T H E A C A D E M Y

The National Academy of Public Administration is a non-profit, independent organization of top public management and organizational leaders who tackle the nations most critical and complex public management challenges. With a network of more than 650 distinguished Fellows and an experienced professional staff, the National Academy is uniquely qualified and trusted across government to provide objective advice and practical solutions based on systematic research and expert analysis. Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Academy continues to make a positive impact by helping federal, state and local governments respond effectively to current circumstances and changing conditions. Learn more about the National Academy and its work at www.NAPAwash.org

A Paper by a Panel of the

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

For the Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General

September 2009

Office of Inspector General

Organizational Assessment

Panel

Phyllis Scheinberg, Chair* Nanette Blandin* John Kamensky* Harold Steinberg*

* Academy Fellow

________________________________________________________________________

Officers of the Academy J. Christopher Mihm*, Chair of the Board

Michael C. Rogers*, Vice Chair Jennifer L. Dorn*, President and Chief Executive Officer

Diane M. Disney*, Secretary John J. Callahan*, Treasurer

Panel Members Phyllis Scheinberg*, Chair

Nanette Blandin* John Kamensky*

Harold Steinberg*

Project Staff Team Lena Trudeau, Vice President

Lois Fu, Program Area Director Leslie Overmyer-Day, Project Director

Allison Brigati, Senior Research Analyst Caroline Epley, Research Associate

Martha S. Ditmeyer, Senior Administrative Specialist

The views expressed in this document are those of the Panel. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Academy as an institution.

National Academy of Public Administration 900 7th Street, N.W. Suite 600 Washington, DC 20001-3888 www.napawash.org

September 2009

Academy Project Number: 2140

* Academy Fellow

ii

http://www.napawash.org/

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... v

Introduction and Overview of the Organizational Assessment ................................................ 1

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 1

About OIG .................................................................................................................................. 1

Project Description...................................................................................................................... 2

Methodology............................................................................................................................... 2

Background................................................................................................................................. 3

External Environment ............................................................................................................. 3

Internal Environment .............................................................................................................. 4

Efforts to Date............................................................................................................................. 5

Summary of Key Issues .............................................................................................................. 5

Core Strengths of the Office of the Inspector General .............................................................. 9

The Issue ..................................................................................................................................... 9

Discussion................................................................................................................................... 9

Strong New Leadership........................................................................................................... 9

OIG Staff ................................................................................................................................. 9

Independence .......................................................................................................................... 9

Value of the OIG ................................................................................................................... 10

Organizational Structure of the OIG ........................................................................................ 11

The Issue ................................................................................................................................... 11

Discussion................................................................................................................................. 11

Roles and Accountability ...................................................................................................... 11

Panel Suggestions for OIG Consideration ................................................................................ 13

Planning ....................................................................................................................................... 15

The Issue ................................................................................................................................... 15

Discussion................................................................................................................................. 15

Strategic and Operating Plans.............................................................................................. 15

Annual Work Plan................................................................................................................. 16

Staffing and Training Plans .................................................................................................. 16

Project Plans......................................................................................................................... 17

Individual Performance Plans .............................................................................................. 18

Panel Suggestions for OIG Consideration ................................................................................ 18

Work Processes ........................................................................................................................... 21

The Issue ................................................................................................................................... 21

Discussion................................................................................................................................. 21

Common Work Practices ...................................................................................................... 21

Project Execution, Monitoring and Review .......................................................................... 22

Records and Information Management ................................................................................ 23

Panel Suggestions for OIG Consideration ................................................................................ 24

iii

Staffing......................................................................................................................................... 27

The Issue ................................................................................................................................... 27

Discussion................................................................................................................................. 27

Staffing Levels and Skill Mix................................................................................................. 27

Multi-disciplinary Teams ...................................................................................................... 28

Training and Development ....................................................................................................... 29

New Staff Orientation ........................................................................................................... 29

Core Training........................................................................................................................ 30

Panel Suggestions for OIG Consideration ................................................................................ 31

Communication........................................................................................................................... 33

The Issue ................................................................................................................................... 33

Discussion................................................................................................................................. 33

Internal Communic