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VA has shortage of IT program managers, CIO says

But VA IT organization and governance is strong, CIO says

The conversion to paperless benefits systems and other new information technology solutions at the Veterans Affairs Department is hampered by a shortage of experienced federal IT project managers, VA Chief Information Officer Roger Baker said today.

“On the development side, our issue is staffing — having enough folks to develop and drive a project forward,” Baker said at a breakfast conference sponsored by Bisnow.

Managing projects such as telehealth or making VA programs paperless “takes a certain caliber of individual, and we have a shortage within government. We cannot turn it over to non-government workers,” Baker said.

Baker also said organization and governance at the VA are in a strong position and the VA's management and its IT division are working closely together. A year ago, Baker halted 45 ongoing IT projects that he deemed to be underperforming.

“Internal IT governance at the VA is easier than at any other federal agency,” Baker said. “There is a focus on customer service at the VA, and we have a great working relationship with our customer [VA management].”

The consolidation of all IT units in the CIO’s office has been completed and is functioning well, Baker added.

“People ask me, ‘How hard was it to stop 45 IT projects?’ I sent out an e-mail. I did not have to negotiate or fight with anyone,” Baker said. “I cannot emphasize enough the sea change of that.”

About the Author

Alice Lipowicz is a staff writer covering government 2.0, homeland security and other IT policies for Federal Computer Week. Follow her on Twitter: @AliceLipowicz.

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Reader comments

Mon, Mar 1, 2010

I spent 15 years as a VA employee. Got started on the IT Career track and when I hit the "good old boy" glass ceiling, I moved on to another Federal Agency and kept climbing. I now have all the professional experience,training and certifications and am currently an IT Program Manager. I also have experience with the VA Only platforms like VISTA and MUMMPS. However, I can't even apply to be considered for these vacancies in the VA. This title and FTEE is often used to reward less qualified better connected underperformers. ie only CURRENT VA Employees may apply.

Thu, Feb 25, 2010 VA PM

It's insulting to think that we do not have incentive to stay educated in our field! Most of us are certified at some level. Unless you're doing this job, your opinion is just that... another opinion. The fact is that we manage the projects within the constraints of the latest guidelines, now PMAS. PMAS seems to be promising, but upper management is still disconnected from real development.

Thu, Feb 25, 2010 VA Program Manager

I currently work at the VA and ALL of their management positions are essentially being targeted to current VA employees. If OI&T (and the rest of the VA) is really interested in finding talented, proven program and project managers, implementing change and strengthening the agency, then stop promoting only your internals and hire people from OUTSIDE the agency to come in and lead the change. If you promote someone who has been there for 20 years, doing the same thing, you're not likely to get someone with fresh ideas. The VA also has to realize that using old technology is NOT the way to attract talented, proven people. Oh, and what "customer service" is Roger Baker referring to? I haven't seen it yet.

Thu, Feb 25, 2010 Rich Valens Fairfax, VA

As someone well informed, believe me, VA has plenty of IT certified program managers. Problem is that senior management will not make the key changes needed to effect change. Reorganize all you want but if you shuffle the problem to another part of the org, you still have a problem. Like congress, they are never going to ID themselves as the problem. System is broken and wasteful. Relationship with customer is OK? Evidence abundantly available to the contrary. What he should say is, if the top boys are happy, everyone on the Hill will be happy. Sad state of affairs and just need to read some of the OIG reports on the issues, talk to hospital directors and other health staff to see how IT does what they want with disregard to those they are suppose to serve. Maybe someday, the false and convenient mantra of "for the veteran" will be exposed for what it is and someone will realize that VA is not in existence for IT to exist. Outsourcing IT or at least the threat of it and you will see people get a jolt and taste of reality.

Thu, Feb 25, 2010

They don't need more Program Managers they need more worker bees. The VA IT department is so top heavy with management and their cronies (yes it is a good old boy's club) that it is going to fall over!

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