THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO MAKE A "FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE"...IN THE WAY YOU DO BUSINESS.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00552R001000040013-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 13
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/09/08: CIA-RDP85B00552RO01000040013-4
The White House wants to make a "fundamental change"...in the way you
do business. It has just kicked off a new six-wear program... called "Reform
'88." Goal is to bring "businesslike" systems to the federal government.
The entire effort is to be run out of 0MB...with the new Deputy
Director, Joe Wright, as the point man. Be is 44 years old, has held several
high-level positions in government and industry... was recently President of
Citicorp Retail Services, Inc., before being appointed Deputy Secretary of
Commerce by President Reagan. Moved to 0MB last spring.
The "Reform '88" effort is oriented toward better use of computers...
but will address other matters as well. Here are some key aspects of the
problem as Wright sees them:
1. 325 separate agency financial/accounting systems that are...
Basically incompatible
Not online to 0MB or Treasury or usually even within an agency
Only 60% approved by GAO
Separate from operational data, impeding results analysis
Without automated audit capabilities
Expensive to operate
2. At least 350 different payroll systems that share many of the same
deficiencies...including not being online to OPM. In addition, information
systems in many agencies are "far behind the state of the art."
3. 100 million checks a year are issued...based on "hard copy"
listings. Treasury central accounts receives 3,000 pounds a month of adding
machine tapes, forms, etc. which must be manually input into the central
system. Of 1200 monthly revenue and expense reports submitted to the Treasury,
only 20, from Defense, are on magnetic tape. The rest are submitted in hard
copy, require manual inputs.
4. American Management Association recently reported that "the ratio
of personnel specialists in government is three times that in the private
sector because of antiquated systems." He wants to do something about that.
5. In addition...the program will pick up and "aggressively" pursue
many other efforts that have received attention in the past.. .such as debt
collection, travel management, internal controls, and the review of
periodicals, pamphlets and audiovisual products.
Here's how the administration is going about... attacking the problem
under "Reform '88"...
- A new Cabinet Council on Management and Administration has been
established. It will consist of the secretaries of Treasury, Defense,
Commerce, HMS, and Transportation, as well as directors of OMB, GSA, and OPM.
Chairman will be Ed Meese, Counsellor to the President. Lots of top-level
talent.
- A Presidential "Task Force on Management Reform" has also been set
up. Responsible for pushing the job forward.. .on a long-term basis. It will
be comprised of 33 "senior federal managers," both appointed and career, from
13 agencies detailed to 018 expressly for this job. They will work closely
with the management division of 0111B. as well as agency managers to develop model
systems.
Copyright ? 1982 Budget and Program
Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part.
Approved For Release 2007/09/08: CIA-RDP85B00552RO01000040013-4
 Approved For Release 2007/09/08: CIA-RDP85B00552RO01000040013-4
The following items have been specifically targeted by Reform '88:
Set up an administrative online communications system linking the
White House and cabinet departments.
b. "Review and reduce" central agency regulations.
c. Implement its overall cost saving projects to reduce the budget
deficit in 1983-85 and improve controls. There is $20 billion in management
savings already worked into the-latest Congressional budget resolution... so
lots of work needs to be done.
You may well be involved in this effort... because the intent is to
reach far down into agencies and make substantial systems changes. Here is the
schedule that has been developed for the next six months:
-BY-October 1982
OiB to develop plans together with agencies... for White House approval.
`.Online communication system between White House and departments.
By December 1982
Reduce OMB regulations. Particularly in management areas.
Review and recommend changes in jobs of departmental Assistant
Secretaries for Management.
Propose options for longer-term management system changes.
By 'March 1983
Reduce regulations of GSA, OPM, Treasury, federal procurement.
Begin longer-term implementation of new management system.
This effort... could be important to you. Has a lot of steam behind it.
You may want to get organized... so you can respond. There will be
plenty of movement during the next few months.. .new ideas will be welcome.
Perhaps you can pick the brains of specialists in accounting, budget systems,
computer programming, procurement, personnel, general administration-be ready.
In discussing the present situation-Mr. Wright mentioned four outfits
that were a little ahead of others. One is Defense, which is currently inputting
expense tapes to Treasury. The others are NASA, Forest Service, and National
Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration, where agency heads "know what's going
on" in their organizations. He feels many others don't have the necessary data.
If you are interested in getting more in-depth information on this
project... write to The President's Management Reform Task Force, Room 425, Old
Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20503. Or call [phone].
President Reagan's working hours.. .may be a little different from yours.
He arrives at the Oval Office about 9 a.m. and works until 5 p.m. on
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesday afternoon is set aside for
horseback riding and he often leaves on Friday about 3 p.m. for a weekend at
Camp David. He has also spent nearly 100 days at his ranch in California.
But there's a catch. Wherever he goes ...he devotes long hours to
reading briefing books and writing speeches. He is "obsessive about his work,"
according to an aide.
As for his managerial style. . .he is said to be "too nice" to confront
subordinates who get out of line, unless absolutely necessary. Keeps a loose
rein on his staff. Word is that there are likely to be some changes among
Waite House staff and cabinet officers... after the election.
Copyright ? 1982 Budget and Program
Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part.
Approved For Release 2007/09/08: CIA-RDP85B00552RO01000040013-4