Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO discussed widespread weaknesses in federal information resources management.

GAO found that: (1) the government is falling behind the private sector in using information technology to streamline its operations and improve service to the public; (2) agencies may lack the essential information needed to manage programs effectively; (3) projects have run into serious trouble due to lack of modernized government information systems; (4) agency executives do not pay enough attention to the role of information technology in achieving fundamental improvements in agency operations; and (5) the agency unit responsible for information resources management often lacks appropriate authority to use technology to reduce administrative costs, increase productivity, and enhance service to the public.