Report: Postal Service has mixed record in IT investments

National Journal
October 16, 2002
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The Postal Service "has established significant capabilities for managing its [information technology] investments" but has not fully integrated IT management and processes into the organization to ensure the most efficient and comprehensive use, according to a General Accounting Office report released Wednesday.

GAO has outlined five stages of maturity for IT management. The Postal Service successfully achieved stage two, said the report, United States Postal Service: Opportunities to Strengthen IT Investment Management Capabilities" (GAO-03-3). But progress stalled in stage three-developing a comprehensive IT investment portfolio.

The service does not evaluate its investments, nor does it measure itself against other government agencies, the report said, and as a result cannot ensure that it is making IT investments that will maximize returns or minimize risk.

GAO recommended that the Postal Service set guidelines for the IT management process, set cost-benefit goals and measure progress at regular intervals.

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