Army Can Benefit From Lessons Learned in Developing a New Facilities Management Information System

GAO reviewed the Army's automated facilities engineer management information system, known as the Integrated Facilities Systems (IFS).

The IFS has not fulfilled one of the Army's major goals of providing accurate and timely data on Army real property facilities, including the backlog of maintenance and repairs. The system was intended to be used by (1) installation managers for conducting facilities engineering operations, and (2) the Army for compiling real property facilities information for its own use and for reporting to Congress. The Army is currently redesigning the IFS and this effort, in conjunction with the procurement of new automatic data processing equipment and other system improvements, should result in a system that will be capable of better serving user needs. However, to realize the benefits originally envisioned from the system, GAO suggested that the Army: (1) address and resolve any equipment or systems integration problems so that the new system can be fully implemented Army-wide; (2) provide adequate staff resources so that the system is properly operated and used; and (3) require installations to adhere to the Office of the Chief of Engineers requirement for facility inspection programs.