JOSEPH M. FERGUSON INSPECTOR GENERAL
CITY OF CHICACO OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 740 NORTH SEDGWICK STREET, SUITE 200 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60654 TELEPI IONE (773) 478-7799 FAX (773) 478 3949
DECEMBER 19, 2019
TO THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, CITY CLERK, CITY TREASURER, AND RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed an audit ofthe Department of Innovation and Technology's (DolT) management of the City's investment in information technology. The objective ofthis audit was to determine if DolT manages information technology investments in accordance with best practices outlined in the United States Government Accountability Office's Information Technology Investment Maturity framework. Specifically, we examined how DolT ensures that the City selects the right technology projects, manages them effectively, and evaluates performance after completion.
Based on the audit results, OIG concluded that DolT did not consistently adhere to best practices for project selection, which increased the risk that projects may cost more, take longer to complete than expected, and not meet requirements. OIG also determined that DolT does not consistently and accurately monitor project performance, nor does it consistently evaluate performance after completion or use lessons learned to inform future projects.
It is critical that DolT fully implement a process for selecting projects that not only meet departments' needs and aligns with the City's strategic goals, but also allocates limited City resources in the most efficient manner possible. Moreover, the Department needs to provide effective project management to ensure that expected benefits are delivered on budget and on schedule. Finally, a consistent and rigorous approach to evaluating past performance is necessary to identify lessons learned and use those lessons to improve future projects. DolT agreed with our recommendations and has already begun implementing corrective acti...
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