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Unity of Effort

  • DHS Should Seek a Unified Approach when Purchasing and Using Handheld Chemical Identification Devices

    Executive Summary

    DHS does not have a unified approach for procuring and using handheld chemical identification devices despite the widespread use of these devices across multiple components.  We recommended DHS establish a process to coordinate joint needs across components and maximize savings from strategic sourcing opportunities.  We made two recommendations that should help improve unity of effort in procuring and using handheld chemical identification devices.  DHS concurred with recommendation 1 but did not concur with recommendation 2.

    Report Number
    OIG-20-16
    Issue Date
    Document File
    DHS Agency
    Oversight Area
    Fiscal Year
    2020
  • Major Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Department of Homeland Security

    Executive Summary

    Department leadership must commit itself to ensuring DHS operates more as a single entity. rather than a collection of components. The lack of progress in reinforcing a unity of effort translates to a missed opportunity for greater effectiveness. Second, Department leadership must establish and enforce a strong internal control environment typical of a more mature organization. The current environment of relatively weak internal controls affects all aspects of the Department’s mission, from border protection to immigration enforcement and from protection against terrorist attacks and natural disasters to cybersecurity. We have seen little evidence of proactive effort by leadership to view the organization holistically, to forcefully communicate the need for cooperation among components, and to establish programs or policies that ensure unity, even though such effort is a necessary precondition to unified action.

     

    Report Number
    OIG-18-11
    Issue Date
    Document File
    DHS Agency
    Oversight Area
    Fiscal Year
    2018
  • DHS' Joint Task Forces

    Executive Summary

    We observed a strong “unity of effort” and commitment among DHS leaders in working together to promote and support the JTFs.  Although the JTFs are a step forward for DHS, they face challenges, including a need for dedicated funding and outcome-based performance measures.  Without dedicated funding, the JTFs rely on components that may have competing or conflicting priorities.  Without performance metrics, the JTFs cannot show the value they add to homeland security operations.  During our fieldwork, Congress passed the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, prompting us to modify our report objective.  This abbreviated report provides our views of successes and some challenges the JTFs face in achieving their mission.  We made no recommendations.

    Report Number
    OIG-17-100
    Issue Date
    Document File
    Oversight Area
    Fiscal Year
    2017