Legal Services Corporation: Benefits and Costs of Proposed Information System Improvements Not Clear
HRD-88-5
Published: Mar 08, 1988. Publicly Released: Apr 07, 1988.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Legal Services Corporation's (LSC) efforts to improve its management information system for evaluating grantee performance, to determine: (1) whether LSC adequately designed and developed the system; (2) whether LSC could realize the identified benefits; and (3) why system cost estimates varied.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Services Corporation | The President, LSC, in conjunction with grantees, should determine what information LSC and grantees need to better monitor and manage grantee programs. |
Closed – Implemented
LSC earlier efforts were designed to develop an automated legal system that would address the areas of time-keeping, functional accounting, and case service reports. Development of this all inclusive system proved to be beyond their capacity and finances, and efforts to implement the full system have been dropped. LSC is currently discussing creating a timekeeping system only.
|
| Legal Services Corporation | The President, LSC, in conjunction with grantees, should establish objectives and functions for its management information system. |
Closed – Implemented
LSC earlier efforts were designed to develop an automated legal system that would address the areas of time-keeping, functional accounting, and case service reports. Development of this all-inclusive system proved to be beyond their capacity and finances, and efforts to implement the full system have been dropped. LSC is currently discussing creating a timekeeping system only.
|
| Legal Services Corporation | The President, LSC, in conjunction with grantees, should use systematic analytical techniques to assess the costs of such a system. |
Closed – Implemented
LSC issued an internal report which estimated the costs between $2 and $18 million based on a contractor's analysis. LSC plans no further cost benefit analysis, but included in its taskforce report a justification for developing the system.
|
| Legal Services Corporation | The President, LSC, in conjunction with grantees, should prepare a plan for an orderly design, development, and implementation process. |
Closed – Implemented
LSC earlier efforts were designed to develop an automated legal system that would address the areas of time-keeping, functional accounting, and case service reports. Development of this all-inclusive system proved to be beyond their capacity and finances, and efforts to implement the full system have been dropped. LSC is currently discussing creating a timekeeping system only.
|
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Topics
IT acquisitionsCost analysisGrant administrationGrant monitoringInformation systemsLegal aidManagement information systemsProgram managementCost estimatesData automation