Strategic Focus Needed to Improve the Coast Guard's Information Resources Management

GAO discussed the Coast Guard's management of its information resources. GAO noted that the Coast Guard: (1) did not collect pertinent information and make it readily available to units, negatively affecting program operations and management; (2) focused its resolution of information system problems on replacing or upgrading technical system counterparts and did not address its overall information needs and system requirements; (3) was in the process of implementing an information technology architecture to establish a standardized framework governing the deployment and use of its information technology; and (4) had not critically reassessed how it could more strategically use information technology, and typically used information technology to automate existing manual recordkeeping and reporting processes. GAO also noted that the: (1) lack of information resources management leadership, a strategic information resources plan, and comprehensive information resources management policies and procedures contributed to the Coast Guard's information problems; and (2) Coast Guard's designated senior information resources management official lacked the top management support and authority necessary to provide agencywide leadership.