Department of State IRM Modernization Program at Risk Absent Full Implementation of Key Best Practices
Abstract
The Department of State is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to replace its antiquated information technology (IT) infrastructure with modem hardware and software systems. In January 1997, the Department of State issued its 5-year, $2.7-billion information resource management (IRM) strategic plan which is designed to achieve a number of key goals by the end of fiscal year 2001, including (1) installing Year 2000 compliant hardware and software systems throughout State, (2) upgrading State's IT infrastructure, and (3) instituting professional management principles in all facets of State's IT operations. State's strategic plan is accompanied by a tactical plan that describes the 65 modernization projects designed to achieve the Department's strategic plan objectives. In light of disappointing results from prior State modernization efforts and widely publicized accounts of failed and costly modernization programs at several other federal agencies, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) was asked to examine the soundness of State's approach to modernizing its IT infrastructure. This report provides information and analysis on the progress made by State in implementing key IT management oversight and investment planning requirements mandated in recent federal legislation and related Office of Management and Budget (0MB) guidance. GAO also examined the soundness of the 5-year cost estimate included in the Department's IRM strategic plan and whether this estimate incorporates potential cost savings and efficiencies from State's modernization efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354315
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office