The Department of Veterans Affairs is moving quickly to deal with the aftermath of a series of critical IT failures that have enveloped the agency. It announced on Wednesday that it is setting up an oversight system to deal with the problems pinpointed by its inspector general about the systematic mismanagement of major information technology projects.

"VA has put in place its new Program Management Accountability System to ensure that the resources required to deliver IT products are managed to ensure that progress is demonstrated and non-performing projects are identified and quickly stopped," the VA said in a statement.

The IG report blamed ongoing mismanagement of large IT projects for the failure of the department's Replacement Scheduling Applications development program. The project, which was a disaster, was halted in March after more than $120 million was spent without producing effective software.

The new oversight system "will ensure proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars while enabling us to deliver customer products to improve the delivery of service and benefits to the veteran," the department said.

For more on the latest VA action:
- check out this Federal Computer Week article