In 2002, at the direction of the Secretary of Energy, EM conducted a self-assessment of the overall status of the program under DOE Order 435.1 Radioactive Waste Management, and found a number of areas that needed improvement, including contract strategies and approaches; risk prioritization; and internal business practices. The results of the self-assessment were summarized in 'A Review of the Environmental Management Program' and led to many changes in how EM managed its work.