Coast Guard : update on Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement System

81961854861003PDFTech ReportGAO-02-11Marine safetyLaw enforcementInformation technologyInformation systemsProgramming (Planning)DevelopmentComputersProject managementUnited StatesUnited States. General Accounting OfficeUnited States. Government Accountability OfficeNTL-MARINE/WATERWAYS TRANSPORTATION-U.S. Coast GuardBTS Data DirectoryThe Coast Guard is developing a web-based information system to replace an aging computer system that it uses to track safety and law-enforcement actions involving commercial and recreational vessels. In 1995 the Coast Guard awarded a contract to develop the new system, called Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement (MISLE). Due to the Coast Guard's history of systems development problems and information technology weaknesses, the General Accounting Office (GAO) was asked to review MISLE's current status and risks. GAO found that the Coast Guard has made progress since taking over MISLE system development. It is now poised to deploy the system with limited capabilities. But much remains to be accomplished in order to deliver the complete system, with only about $11 million of its $61 million estimate remaining. MISLE is facing risks in four key areas - changing system requirements, software testing, transition planning, and risk management. Unless these challenges are successfully addressed, performance shortcomings, cost escalation, and schedule delay are likely