Rethinking IT

Text of OMB Circular A-130

In addition to addressing access to information, OMB's proposed revisions

to Circular A-130 attempt to force agencies to exercise better oversight

of their information technology investments. The provisions require agencies

to:

* Create "information technology architectures" as guides for strategic

and operational IT planning.

* Establish a "capital planning and investment control" plan to reduce

ill-conceived spending on information technology.

* Develop an "information resource management plan" capable of analyzing

IT investments to ensure they work toward achieving the agency's overall

mission and goals.

* Meet information technology needs through intra-agency and interagency

sharing, before buying new equipment.

* Create a "portfolio" that monitors agency IT investmen ts to avoid

redundancy and examine alternative options.