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Problems Plague National Weather Service ADP System

CED-82-6 Published: Nov 18, 1981. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 1981.
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Highlights

After 7 years of development and expenditures of $100 million, the National Weather Service has implemented an Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) in two of its four principal regions. GAO examined the AFOS project's justification, technical adequacy, and management.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status Sort descending
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to replace the current telecommunications system as part of its development of a new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to appoint a project manager with clear authority for the Automation of Field Operations and Services system and for the planned new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to replace the Automation of Field Operations and services system hardware as part of developing a new, more advanced system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to select and enforce standard software development procedures, including documentation and testing for the new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to replace the Automation of Field Operations and services system hardware as part of developing a new, more advanced system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to select and enforce standard software development procedures, including documentation and testing for the new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis before deciding on full implementation.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to contract out system development activities which exceed in-house development capabilities.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to conduct a detailed cost-benefit analysis before deciding on full implementation.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to contract out system development activities which exceed in-house development capabilities.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to conduct a test of the untested segments of the Automation of Field Operations and Services system before deciding to implement it nationwide.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to account for all Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) costs, including the full personnel costs attributable to developing and using AFOS.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to adhere to standard software development practices in completing the Automation of Field Operations and Services system and in developing a new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to conduct a test of the untested segments of the Automation of Field Operations and Services system before deciding to implement it nationwide.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to follow accounting regulations prescribed in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-109 in accounting for system development costs, including life-cycle costs.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to adhere to standard software development practices in completing the Automation of Field Operations and Services system and in developing a new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to account for all Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) costs, including the full personnel costs attributable to developing and using AFOS.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to follow accounting regulations prescribed in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-109 in accounting for system development costs, including life-cycle costs.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to fully document the Automation of Field Operations and Services system software to meet the needs of the developing staff and operating personnel.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to establish a project management office and assign all development personnel to that office on a full-time basis in completing the automation of Field Operations and Services system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to fully document the Automation of Field Operations and Services system software to meet the needs of the developing staff and operating personnel.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
National Weather Service The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to establish a project management office and assign all development personnel to that office on a full-time basis in completing the automation of Field Operations and Services system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to replace the current telecommunications system as part of its development of a new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should direct the National Weather Service to appoint a project manager with clear authority for the Automation of Field Operations and Services system and for the planned new system.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.

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Topics

Atmospheric researchSoftware documentationCost effectiveness analysisSystems designTelecommunicationsWeather forecastingComputersData automationPersonal computersSpare parts