Summary: The magnitude and complexity of the federal government's information technology resources--hardware, software, data, and trained individuals--require effective and efficient management. Time and again, however, GAO reports have shown that agencies have problems managing these resources. Massive cost overruns, inaccurate data, and poor system performance are widespread. This fact sheet summarizes the information resources management problems documented in reports issued by the Information Management and Technology Division between October 1988 and May 1991. The management and operational problems described fall into 10 categories, the most common being inadequate management of the information system development life cycle. Other problem areas include an inability to ensure the security and integrity of information systems; the inability of information systems to work together; and data that are inaccurate, unreliable, or incomplete. GAO summarizes the problem categories by type and frequency and provides examples for each category as well as a list of related reports.
