Performance Audit of King County’s Investment in Information Technology

Recent actions show measurable progress; however, further improvements are needed in King County’s approach to IT investment as many current plans and practices could benefit from additional rigor and strategic focus. For example, the County recently consolidated its IT structure and transitioned to a service-based budgeting model, potentially improving transparency. However, in many cases we found that informal methods of IT project selection; significant schedule extensions; undefined business benefits; and unmitigated risks still hamper optimum IT investment. Further, we identified deficiencies in information provided to County Council as they are making project funding decisions. For example, IT project documents are often incomplete and contain unreliable data. Finally, we found that the County does not know if completed projects realized intended benefits. However, the County recently applied greater focus on benefits realization planning and our report provides recommendations supporting this effort.

Our recommendations are provided both to encourage improved performance and accelerate the achievement of actions already in progress. As is often the case, implementing improvements may require time and resources. A coordinated effort between PSB and KCIT will transition the County from an incomplete approach to investing in IT to ensuring that technology spending provides benefit to the County and the taxpayers. We have recommendations in three areas:

1. A framework to ensure strategic and transparent IT investment governance and independent oversight;
2. Rigorous, complete, and transparent IT project selection; and
3. Effective systems to collect and analyze project information with a strong focus on ensuring realization of project benefits.

 

King County makes a significant investment in technology—$277 million in total active information technology (IT) projects this year. This report describes the extent to which the County optimizes technology spending to leverage results with transparency, accountability, and alignment with best practices.