IT modernization will rely on the success of the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) and the willingness of CIOs at federal agencies to overcome fear and move toward modernization. To get the ball rolling for IT modernization, AppMod offers weapons for modernizing apps, while leaders say that innovative and out-of-the-box thinking will need to continue.
Is FITARA Failing? Federal CIOs Still Say They Don’t Have Authority Over IT Acquisitions
More than two years after Congress passed the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), Federal chief information officers (CIOs) at agencies ranging from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of Transportation (DOT) say they still don’t have the authority to stop projects that aren’t going well or to manage technology throughout their agencies. Even though FITARA was supposed to give agency CIOs greater authority over major IT investment planning and budgeting, CIOs have either been unable or reluctant to exercise that authority. Critics are saying that a main problem with IT acquisition and modernization stems from leadership and support for modernization initiatives.
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Top Procurement Officials Bullish Trump will Continue Innovative Acquisition Reforms
At a recent AFFIRM luncheon, representatives of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy said they expect the new Administration to continue leaning on innovative practices introduced under President Barack Obama, particularly in the face of cuts to civilian agency budgets. The impetus will be for greater innovation and effectiveness in procurement to deliver on an agency’s mission and to better manage budget dollars on behalf of taxpayers. To do so, the representatives predicted that there will be a continuation of “outside-the-box” thinking that was encouraged by the Obama Administration and will continue with the new Office of American Innovation.
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7 Not-so-Secret Weapons to Modernize Apps
Federal CIOs know they must modernize and are anxious to do so, but face the task with a sense of fear, uncertainty and doubt. Knowing what needs to be done and figuring out how to do it are two different things. To move forward with clarity and confidence, AppMod has a list of seven “not-so-secret” weapons IT leaders can use to increase their odds of successful modernization. From shining a light on legacy apps and avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach, to tapping into FITARA reviews and implementing a proof of concept, these seven steps should help allay fears and help CIOs move forward with their modernization efforts.
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30 Ways to Improve Federal IT Reform Efforts
In a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) forum, leaders and lawmakers from across the federal government shared input and feedback about what is and isn’t working with the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA). Attendees gave cogent and cohesive feedback to the GAO, which they have shared in a report that highlights the recommendations made for improving the FITARA scorecard and, more importantly, a more effective and greater implementation of the law. According to forum attendees, the discussion stayed away from the idea that CIOs should run everything, and spent more time on what’s realistically possible to ensure success.
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