Information Resources:

Army Should Limit New Initiatives Until Management Program Is Implemented

IMTEC-90-58, Jun 29, 1990

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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army's management of automatic data processing (ADP) at its major commands and installations.

GAO found that the: (1) Army has not fully implemented major provisions of its Information Resources Management (IRM) Program; (2) Army has not yet completed a requirements-based information architecture to guide future information initiatives; (3) Army has not established an effective process for monitoring and controlling information initiatives; (4) Army has recently undertaken the task of correcting identified deficiencies and improving its information resources management, but may take longer than planned to effectively implement revised policies and procedures; and (5) Army's claims of completed actions need to be assessed with caution to ensure that they are justified.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendations for Executive Action

    Recommendation: In order to strengthen its information resource management, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to establish specific milestones for the development of a fully integrated, requirements-based information architecture and the implementation of an effective planning and control structure.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: In a January 2, 1991 memo, the Office of the Secretary of Defense directed the Army to implement the recommendation. The Army is preparing the requisite plan.

    Recommendation: In order to strengthen its information resource management, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to limit new information management initiatives to those mandated by Congress or necessary to fulfill legal requirements until such time as a fully integrated, requirements-based information architecture is developed and an effective control structure is implemented.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: As a part of allocating the CIM funds from the central fund to the Army in fiscal year 1991, DOD considered the recommendation along with other factors. OSD officials told GAO that the recommendation was the major factor in allocation distribution.

    Recommendation: In order to strengthen its information resource management, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to institute strong central direction and control over actions currently underway to implement and correct problems with the Army IRM Program, and establish and report to Congress realistic time frames for their completion.

    Agency Affected: Department of Defense

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: DOD has taken steps to implement this recommendation.