**GAO-08-42**                      Published: Dec 18, 2007. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

Acquiring new systems on budget and on schedule is critically important in transitioning to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). However, air traffic control modernization has been on GAO's high-risk list since 1995, in part due to acquisitions exceeding budget and schedule targets. The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) has responsibility for managing air traffic control acquisitions. GAO was asked to examine (1) ATO's goals, performance measures, and reporting for systems acquisitions; (2) the validity of ATO's performance measures; and (3) the implications of using ATO's performance measures to assess progress in transitioning to NextGen. To address these issues, GAO compared ATO's measures with attributes of successful performance measures, interviewed agency officials, and sought perspectives of aviation experts.

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## Topics

Transportation

Air traffic control systemsAviationBudget administrationBudget controllabilityBudgetingCommercial aviationCost controlEvaluation criteriaPerformance measuresProgram evaluationReporting requirementsRisk assessmentRisk managementSchedule slippagesStrategic planningCivil aviationProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementation