Issues in Criminal Justice and Technology-unit 3

Projects that are too specialized or ambitious to manage successfully."For years, oversight organizations like the US General Accounting Office (GAO) have warned against information technology initiatives that some characterize as "grand designs." These are the projects whose scope is so large, time horizon so long, or design so unique that they will almost certainly falter or fail. (i.e, the FBI "Virtual File" project...) "Instead, most experts recommend that systems be designed and deployed in modules and be built on standard technologies using well-tested methodologies."

public policy choices and public management processes that are part of government make it an especially difficult
bid protests
relatively low government wages
legislative interference
structure of government decision making,
public finance and public accountability complicate the government managers' jobs and limit the choices available to them.
some government programs are so large and pervasive, that they simply push the limits of
the best technical and managerial know-how.
Limited authority to make decisions -- authority divided among multiple decision-makers to avoid corruption.
Multiple stakeholders and competing goals "Customers, constituents, taxpayers, service providers, elected officials, professional staff, and others all have some stake in most programs. Some want more or different services, others want lower taxes or fewer rules. Understanding how different choices may affect each stakeholder group helps to identify likely conflicts and prevent unexpected problems."
One year budgets
Highly regulated procurement to avoid corruption may cause real problems
Little capability to design or operate integrated or government-wide programs (vs. "stovepipe" ones that are isolated by agency or other lines.
risk aversion to avoid embarrassment