External and Internal Factors
The CFTC must be prepared to modify or change its planned direction or level of effort if factors not within its control change in unanticipated ways. Some of the factors that could materially affect CFTC workload are:
Legislation could be enacted that adds to or reduces CFTC’s scope of regulation or ability to access critical information.
Appropriations may be above or below the level requested.
World and U.S. economies could grow or contract dramatically.
Demand for or supply of commodities and other goods and services that affect commodity markets and derivatives trading could change significantly.
Court decisions may alter prior understandings on which the Commission based workload projections, business processes, or resource requirements.
IT capabilities could materially change, improving or hindering the Commission’s ability to monitor market or participant behavior or analyze transactions.
New derivative products, processes, or market participants may develop, having a positive or negative effect on the Commission’s ability to oversee the market.
War or terrorist activity could disrupt the Commission’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities.
Critical staff with hard to replace competencies could leave or be unable to work for some period of time.