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EO 12479Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12479

Management Reform in the Federal Government

This executive order creates the President's Council on Management Improvement, an interagency body chaired by OMB's Deputy Director to develop and oversee government-wide management reforms, formulate long-range plans, identify cross-cutting agency improvements, and resolve interagency management problems. The Council includes senior administration officials from 22 agencies and offices but is explicitly prohibited from interfering with existing lines of authority.

49 FR 22243
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Key directives

  • Establish President's Council on Management Improvement as interagency committee
  • Council shall develop and oversee improved government-wide management systems
  • Council shall formulate long-range plans for federal management improvements
  • Council shall identify specific agency reforms applicable across government
  • Council shall resolve interagency management problems
  • Council shall coordinate with OMB, GSA, and OPM on policy implementation
  • Chairman shall report goals and results to President through Cabinet Council on Management and Administration
  • Chairman shall provide agency heads with summary reports
  • Chairman may appoint Vice-Chairmen and at-large members to one-year terms
  • Associate Director for Management, OMB shall support Chairman and act in absence

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Council establishment and member designation
  • Chairman authority to establish procedures and agenda

Near term (90d)

  • Potential committee and executive committee formation
  • Initial reporting structure to Cabinet Council activated

Long term

  • Long-range management reform planning
  • Government-wide administrative system improvements
  • Cross-agency reform identification and implementation

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit deadlines or reporting timelines weaken accountability
  • Vague 'long-range' planning language lacks measurable milestones
  • Non-interference clause (Sec. 2 final sentence) may limit Council effectiveness against resistant agencies
  • One-year terms for Vice-Chairmen and at-large members create potential continuity issues
  • Heavy reliance on OMB for administrative and staff support concentrates power but also creates bottleneck risk
  • 1984 context: part of Reagan administration's broader government efficiency efforts, though text itself does not state this
Executive Order 12479: Management Reform in the Federal Government · Executive Orders