Agencies fail to manage technology, senator says

Most federal agencies are not adhering to a 1996 information technology management law, according to a new report released Friday by Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.

According to the report, 16 of 24 agencies had not developed or submitted IT management reports required under the Clinger-Cohen Act, which directs federal agencies to take an integrated approach to information technology. The act requires agencies to describe accomplishments and progress in the reports and identify areas needing further attention.

Other issues identified by Thompson's report include trouble retaining chief information officers in agencies. CIOs are supposed to oversee agencies' IT programs and make sure that sound financial practices are used. Ten of the 24 major agencies have had three or four CIOs since February 1996, when the law was enacted. The Education Department has had five CIOs since that time.

Connecting IT performance to agency program performance is another area where agencies fell down, according to the report.

"Because agencies are not using sound business procedures before investing in information technology, they are unable to improve program performance and meet their mission goals," the report said.

The Small Business Administration told Thompson that Year 2000 computer problem planning kept agency officials from developing IT capital planning procedures.

The senator recommended several measures to get agencies in line with the Clinger-Cohen Act: do an in-house review to make sure agencies and departments are fully implementing the law; establish clear boundaries of authority among all CIOs within an agency; develop IT management plans; provide better data in how IT investments will benefit federal programs; and set clear rules on how CIOs report the status of IT projects and purchases to managers.

"The next President will be faced with management challenges, including this one, so I hope this is the wake-up call that's needed," Thompson said. "The next administration must focus on managing government information technology systems, so we can help agencies meet their goals and improve taxpayer services."