A new report by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that IT operations in the US government are lagging behind. Many systems are outdated, and resources may be misused.
The GAO emphasizes the need for changes in how IT is acquired and managed. They suggest nine important actions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
First, there needs to be better oversight of IT management. This includes making sure leaders like Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are effective in their roles.
Next, agencies must develop clear strategies for managing their IT systems. They also need to monitor IT investments more closely to ensure they deliver results.
Additionally, government departments should enhance their practices for acquiring and developing IT. This includes better management of cloud services and supply chains.
The report highlights the importance of building a more skilled IT workforce and improving digital services for people using federal resources.
The federal government spends over $100 billion each year on IT. Yet, many projects often go over budget, take longer than planned, or fail altogether.
Gene L. Dodaro, the Comptroller General, stated, “The federal government is not fully harnessing modern technology to cut costs and serve Americans better.” He noted that federal IT challenges have been around since 2015 and need urgent attention.
Legacy tech troubles aren’t unique to the US
This isn’t just a US problem. In the UK, a report found that outdated technology has been wasting £45 billion of taxpayer money.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle remarked that neglected systems have caused essential public services to struggle, resulting in significant costs.
The UK’s report showed that over 25% of digital services are outdated, leading to maintenance costs that are much higher than if the systems were current.
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