Hoover's approach to the Great Depression is considered by most historians as unsuccessful. One of the reasons why it was so unsuccessful were due to his economic beliefs.
Hoover was an advocate of the laissez faire approach to the economy. This meant that the government should only get involved in the economy a small amount. This is why he only develops a few federal works projects (like the Hoover Dam) to employ people. He fails to give direct financial assistance to citizens and does not attempt to fix the issues that caused the Great Depression in the first place.