July 28, 2012

In both cases, program managers blamed the delays on the challenge of customizing commercial off-the-shelf software. DEAMS managers cited the need to address more than 3,400 “problem reports” during testing, the report said.

Key point from a damning report on DoD IT project performance. It is a fallacy to think that it is easier to chisel down monolithic software packages to fit needs vs. just creating clean software for users. Now more than ever, one can avoid ‘not invented hire’ syndrome, adhere to enterprise standards, and deliver a quality experience. It’s almost as if the world has moved on to 3D printing or atleast injection molded plastics whilst the GOV seems stuck on carving wood. 

To be clear, I am specifically referring to GOV IT projects that serve intra-agency, agency-to-agency or agency-to-citizen functions. GOV can commission, build and deploy brilliant stuff like this using bespoke software built on Ada, running on a custom OS. But when it comes to filling in expenses or timesheets, it’s back to the woodshed.

We really have to wake up soon. Atleast FED IT has to deal with complex mission profiles and objectives, including national security. The crazy thing is, the situation is more endemic in State/Local/City agencies. It’s just that it happens at 8/7/6 figure levels and neither gets covered by any major media sources nor gets the same oversight internally.

However, when you consider how many of these agencies there are, the laws of multiplicity make that number truly astounding. Not that you can ask me what that number is because there is no way to find out. I am sure someone will commission Oracle to facilitate this, using the ‘Fusion Government Analytics’ wood block.

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