The Research, Applied Analytics, and Statistics Organization Project Management Practices Need Improvement.

The Director, RAAS, should develop and implement effective performance measures to better assess and demonstrate the impact of its research projects on tax administration and taxpayers.

The Director, RAAS, should develop and implement guidance requiring RAAS divisions to record and monitor a research project's progress throughout its life cycle, along with the associated costs (including IRS and contractor employee labor time). This guidance should include comparing that information to the plans developed during project approval to determine whether research projects are within planned costs and time frames.

The Director, RAAS, should develop and implement procedures to ensure that key project details, including project resources, time frames, and objectives, are captured in a project tracking tool before project approval.

The Director, RAAS, should develop and implement procedures during project approval to ensure that new projects do not duplicate prior or ongoing projects.