Assessing the effectiveness of a government accountability and whistleblower protection office

Why. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) as part of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. Three years after it was established, the office needed a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of current ongoing processes, as well as assistance in accomplishing its statutory functions and mission of improving accountability within the department.

What. Technical Assent conducted a two-part, 75-day Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the office. Our analysts performed a through document review, a quick pulse survey, 18 stakeholder interviews, and two focus group sessions. We provided drafts at 30 days and 60 days before submitting the final analysis. Our analysis helped our client quickly provide congressional leaders with recommendations for modifications and reforms to OAWP’s existing operational model. Data analysis directly informed by our SWOT analysis became part of two congressional legislative packages.