High Risks & Challenges Overview

Every two years, GAO provides Congress with an update on its High-Risk Program, which highlights major problems that are at high risk for waste, fraud, abuse mismanagement or in need of broad reform. As of November 2009, there are 31 areas on GAO's High-Risk list. Pages in this section discuss each of these high-risk areas, including information from GAO's January 2009 high-risk update as well as the results of work completed since then.

In addition to the high-risk issues, GAO is also calling attention to three other major government challenges that are of great national and international concern.

GAO's recommendations to address these high-risk areas and major challenges could lead to billions of dollars in savings for the federal government, dramatically improve service to the public, and strengthen confidence in the performance and accountability of the U.S. government at home and abroad.

Current and Previous High-Risk Series  

GAO's High Risk List

Strengthening the Foundation for Efficiency and Effectiveness Overview

• Modernizing the Outdated U.S. Financial Regulatory System  
• Restructuring the U.S. Postal Service to Achieve Sustainable Financial Viability    
• Funding the Nation's Surface Transportation System  
• 2010 Census  
• Strategic Human Capital Management
• Managing Federal Real Property

Transforming DOD Program Management Overview  

• DOD Approach to Business Transformation
• Business Systems Modernization
• Personnel Security Clearance Program
• Support Infrastructure Management
• Financial Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Weapon Systems Acquisition  

Ensuring Public Safety and Security Overview

• Implementing and Transforming the Department of Homeland Security
• Establishing Effective Mechanisms for Sharing Terrorism-Related Information to Protect the Homeland  
• Protecting the Federal Government's Information Systems and the Nation's Critical Infrastructures  
• Ensuring the Effective Protection of Technologies Critical to U.S. National Security Interests
• Revamping Federal Oversight of Food Safety  
• Protecting Public Health through Enhanced Oversight of Medical Products
• Transforming EPA's Process for Assessing and Controlling Toxic Chemicals

Managing Federal Contracting More Effectively Overview

• DOD Contract Management
• DOE's Contract Management for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management
• NASA Acquisition Management  
• Management of Interagency Contracting

Assessing the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Tax Law Administration Overview

• Enforcement of Tax Laws
• IRS Business Systems Modernization

Modernizing and Safeguarding Insurance and Benefit Programs Overview

• Improving and Modernizing Federal Disability Programs
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation Insurance Programs
• Medicare Program  
• Medicaid Program  
• National Flood Insurance Program