b'Conversations with LeadersI want to leave the GAO organization stronger with the right people, the right plans, the right values, and the right commitments to continue to succeed well into the futureto ensure GAOs enduring value to the country.Gene DodaroMaking sure that we have solid succession planningstrategic planning and foresight capabilities with by creating in place is another challenge. Ive created a ten-yearour Strategic Foresight Center. succession plan for our senior executives at GAO to make sure that when my term ends the organization is wellOur strategic planning process starts with the Congress, functioning and prepared to meet the challenges of theunderstanding their issues, and then we end with sharing future. Over the last five years or so, 50 percent or morewith them a draft of our strategic plans. Its very important of our senior executives have retired. Today somethingin terms of strategic planning for GAO to anticipate trends on the order of 40 percent of GAO staff are forty yearsthat are shaping the environment and the type of decisions old or younger. With the pending retirement of the babythat the Congress and the country will face. Having a strong boom generation, we need to attract and retain that nextstrategic planning framework helps us better identify trends generation of GAO professionals that keeps true to our corethat may affect the environment in which youre operating. values of accountability, integrity, and reliability.Well know how best to change our practices, approaches, and workforce to meet those challenges. Were developing On Developing a Strategic Planning Framework our next strategic plan, which will go beyond my tenure. Our strategic planning process has evolved over time. When Dave Walker became comptroller general, he askedNow regarding priorities, with the federal government me to be the chief operating officer. We created a newinvestment of $4.5 trillion in COVID-19 relief, GAO has strategic planning approach for GAO. I have continued tounique oversight responsibilities. GAO is engaging in real-refine the process over the years, further enhancing ourtime auditing, which continues to be a key priority for us. Our high-risk list, which identifies and tracks the greatest 18 www.businessofgovernment.org The Business of Government'