Thursday, July 08, 2004

Report to the Librarian General, soldier!

A new GAO report revealed that the Department of Defense requested $19 billion to operate its 2,274 business system databases. The databases, which are used for inventory and procurement, grew up in separate departments and had their own appropriations for development and maintenance. As such, they don't interrelate and are seen as less than perfect guardians of the public purse. It sounds like they need some librarians to integrate this information, or at least search it effectively.

DOD Business Systems Modernization: Billions Continue to Be Invested with Inadequate Management Oversight and Accountability, GAO Report: GAO-04-615.