NASA Inspector General: independent and objective audits?

William Atkins
Friday, 06 April 2007 20:33

Opinion and Analysis

Microsoft Office 365

[Certain words have been BOLDED for a purpose.]

“Public Law 95-452, known as the Inspector General Act of 1978, created independent audit and investigative units, called Offices of Inspector General (OIGs) at 61 Federal agencies.”

“The mandate of the OIGs, as spelled out in the Act, is to: conduct and supervise independent and objective audits and investigations relating to agency programs and operations; promote economy, effectiveness and efficiency within the agency; prevent and detect crime, fraud, waste and abuse in agency programs and operations; review and make recommendations regarding existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to agency programs and operations; keep the agency head and the Congress fully and currently informed of problems in agency programs and operations.”

"In accordance with the Inspector General Act, we conduct objective oversight of NASA programs and operations and independently report to the Administrator, Congress, and the public to further the Agency’s accomplishment of its mission."

“We maintain a workforce committed to performance, excellence, and accountability by working together to ensure that: our activities result in needed change and are responsive to customer needs; our opinions and products are independent, objective, and accurate; our workforce is highly competent and seeks opportunities for continual improvement; we act with professionalism, integrity, and transparency. OIG auditors, investigators, analysts, specialists, attorneys, and administrative staff are located at NASA headquarters and NASA centers.”

Now, read the CNN article called “Report: NASA inspector general abused authority” at: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/04/05/nasa.watchdog.ap/index.html.

Whatever happened will come out eventually. We in the United States are innocent unless proven guilty.

However, in any case, this article points to the necessity in any sector of business—whether it is the manned space program or the pet food industry—for “independent”, “objective”, and “accurate” audits and inspections.

If you are doing your job properly and honestly, you have nothing to hide. If you aren’t, then such independent and objective audits and inspections will find those improper and dishonest activities.

However, audits and inspections that are not independent and objective will not find problems. And, those problems will continue to plague that organization and, to a greater scale, possibly that industry.

Does NASA need more problems? Does the pet food industry need more problems? Does any company or indusry need more problems?

Independent audits and inspections are critical to any industry!