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RCED-84-42 1 (1984-01-03)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabnfm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE* WASHINGTON, D.C. 20548 January 3, 1984 RESOURCES. COMMUNITY,. ANO ECONOMIC DIVILOPMINT OIVISION B-213 127 The Honorable J. Erich Evered 123180 Administrator. Energy Information Administration Dear Mr. Evered: Subject: The Energy Information Administration Needs To Strengthen Its Computer Systems Development Procedures (GAO/RCED-84-42) We have completed a review of the Energy Information Adminis- tration's (EIA's) procedures for developing automated information systems. We examined the application of EIA's procedures in the development of an automated hydropower billing system for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and identified a number of system development procedural problems. We discussed our findings with EIA officials and, subsequently, EIA issued information systems development standards that addressed some of our concerns. However, we believe that the new standards could be further strengthened. These matters are summarized below and are detailed in enclosure I, which also includes a description of our review objective, scope, and methodology. FERC initiated work to automate its hydropower billing system in March 1981. FERC requested EIA's assistance in this work since EIA regularly provides computer systems development services to FERC and other Department of Energy components. Following FERC's request, EIA awarded a contract, totaling about $205,000, for the systems development work. ETA was responsible for providing guidance to the contractor in its systems development work. We found that ETA did not have procedures for ensuring that systems development work was properly planned, reviewed, and tested. In this regard, ETA did not assure that the contractor's development work was based on a study of the needs of potential system users in conformance with federal procurement guidance. In addition, EIA did not adequately control changes to the system FERC requested after the original design had been agreed upon by FERC, EIA, and the contractor. Further, ETA did not have proce- dures to ensure that the completed automated system was tested and approved by FERC. These problems contributed to delays in devel- oping the system and in awarding a subsequent contract in November OD1 (004309)

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