ADP Modernization: FCC's Automation Planning Is Inadequate
IMTEC-88-51
Published: Sep 15, 1988. Publicly Released: Oct 05, 1988.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) information resource management (IRM) and automation planning process, including its development of the Record Image Processing System.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Communications Commission | To improve the FCC automation planning process, the Chairman, FCC, should require the Managing Director to: (1) ensure that ADP strategic automation plans identify how each automation program objective supports FCC mission goals and prioritize these automation program objectives; (2) activate the ADP steering committee or designate another group or individual to carry out the responsibilities stated in the committee's charter; and (3) ensure that budgetary decisions on automation matters are guided by requirements and activities contained in the strategic plan. |
FCC revised its strategic IRM plan to tie automation objectives to mission goals and priorities, and issued the plan in August 1989. A steering committee was reactivated and is periodically meeting. Automation priorities identified in the plan were used to allocate resources for fiscal year 1990, and FCC management stated it would continue to rely on the plan for budget decisions.
|
| Federal Communications Commission | To reduce the risks associated with the development of the Record Image Processing System, the Chairman, FCC, should require the Managing Director to ensure that FCC has identified alternative approaches to developing the system, identified the costs and benefits of such alternative approaches, and carefully defined user requirements. These actions should be completed before any significant investment in the system is made. |
FCC prepared a new study in February 1989. The study included alternative approaches and the costs and benefits of each. FCC also met with user groups and better defined user needs in an April 1989 study. FCC also incorporated external users' needs as system requirements.
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Topics
IT acquisitionsImage databasesIndependent regulatory commissionsInformation resources managementInformation systemsMechanizationStrategic information systems planningSystems conversionsData automationAutomation