Letters to the editor

Following are responses to an FCW.com poll question that asked: "Is the Bush administration on the right track with the concept of consolidating IT projects?"

Many agencies overlap in their efforts to accomplish their missions. For example, in the Defense Department, we find duplication of efforts not only in the mainstream of information technology, but in every aspect of defined goals with each branch of service. Having two fundamental research labs — one in the Air Force and one in the Navy — reflects this duplication.

Pooling IT resources is an excellent idea to foster reduction of taxpayers' dollars and provide a common goal in all missions within the federal government.

Why fund multiple projects all with the same goal?

Dennis DeMolet

DeMolet Consulting

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I agree that some IT consolidations make sense and probably are more cost effective. But a one-size-fits-all strategy is rarely a good approach to anything in a large bureaucracy.

We have seen failures in the pay and benefit areas demonstrate this. Why would they think it would work in the IT area?

Consolidate where feasible, but leave room for specialization where needed. No one-size approach!

Name withheld by request