Crosscutting Issues in Information and Technology Management

Key Reports

The federal government relies on information management systems and networks to help carry out vital missions and public services, but its management and use of information and technology are not always effective. Improvements are necessary to ensure that taxpayer money is not ill spent and vital government missions are not compromised.

  • Agencies have spent billions of dollars on developing systems and processes that are not cost effective, fail to deliver expected results, and do not provide the best solutions to agencies' needs.
  • Not all agencies are taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by technological change and innovation, including opportunities to make dramatic improvements in customer service and drive down administrative costs.
  • In an era of rapidly changing technology, agencies are challenged not only in managing information systems but also in the collection, use, and dissemination of information.
    Highlights of GAO-06-974T (PDF), Highlights of GAO-07-752 (PDF) and Highlights of GAO-08-344 (PDF)
  • Managing these systems and information requires agencies, among other things, to provide adequate security and privacy protections, including addressing uses of Social Security numbers.
  • Such challenges have led to the inclusion of several topics on GAO's high-risk list, including
    • preparing for and carrying out the rapidly approaching 2010 Census;
      Highlights of GAO-08-550T (PDF)

    • carrying out crucial large-scale modernization efforts at the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Internal Revenue Service;
      Highlights of GAO-09-586 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-09-281 (PDF)
    • establishing information-sharing mechanisms to improve homeland security; and
      Highlights of GAO-09-40 (PDF)
    • protecting the federal government's information systems and the nation's critical infrastructures
      Highlights of GAO-09-661T (PDF), Highlights of GAO-08-588 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Information Security: Agencies Make Progress in Implementation of Requirements, but Significant Weaknesses Persist
GAO-09-701T, May 19, 2009
Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 16 pages)   Accessible Text
DOD Business Systems Modernization: Recent Slowdown in Institutionalizing Key Management Controls Needs to Be Addressed
GAO-09-586, May 18, 2009
Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 70 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)
Information Technology: Management and Oversight of Projects Totaling Billions of Dollars Need Attention
GAO-09-624T, April 28, 2009
Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 17 pages)   Accessible Text
Information Technology: Census Bureau Testing of 2010 Decennial Systems Can Be Strengthened
GAO-09-262, March 5, 2009
Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 39 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)
Information Technology: Agencies Need to Establish Comprehensive Policies to Address Changes to Projects' Cost, Schedule, and Performance Goals
GAO-08-925, July 31, 2008
Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 59 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)
GAO Contact
Portrait of Joel C. Willemssen

Joel C. Willemssen

Managing Director, Information Technology

willemssenj@gao.gov

(202) 512-6222