Federal IT Projects Problems, CPT Objectives
Problems
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On 31 July 2008 the GAO published a report, and gave congressional hearings, identifying the need to better identify and oversee at risk,
federally funded projects.
The GAO has identified that there are potentially billions of dollars at risk because of poor oversight and management.
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Rebaselining
According to the GAO, just under half (48%) of major projects that federal agencies plan to fund in fiscal year 2008 have been rebaelined.
Of those that were rebaselined, over half of them have been rebaselined more than once. The estimated frequency of rebaseling, for those major
federal projects, that have rebaselined, is shown in the following chart from the GAO.
Size of The Problems
Rebaselining in itself is not necessarily bad, but according to the GAO Report, the rebaseling often masks
fundamental problems such as cost and schedule over runs.
The GAO analyzed OMB and agency data to determine how many programs are at risk and the dollar value of these programs. The table
below shows that over $25 Billion in total is at risk and that $4.8 Billion
in programs are currently performing poorly (e.g. $3B + $1.8B).
A report card of progress, available from U.S. Senator Thomas Carpers (D-Del)
website, takes another perspective on
the size of the problems.
This report card states that $57B in IT Projects are in danger of failing. Irrespective of
how you interpret the data or score programs, the point is that literally billions of dollars are in danger.
Objectives
To address the problems outlined above, the Center for Program Transformation seeks to:
- Gain an accurate understanding of the problems being faced and their extent
- Identify immediately actionable improvements for specific programs
- Provide thought leadership to improve holistically across programs