FBI and the Virtual Case File in 2000
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
FBI AND THE VCF PROJECT
Michael Muller, Clarissa Francis, Tolulope Akinyemi 11/16/2012
ABSTRACT
This study is about failure---more specifically, failure in the software industry. Failure is an attractive subject because everyone experiences it, allowing people to understand on a personal level what will work in business----and won’t. Failure is also a concept that is difficult to define, as there are many different academic opinions on the subject. The aim of this study is to take a look at notable failures in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) software sector, and draw lessons from them, looking at the factors that caused the project to fail. This case was very public, involving not only corporations but also governmental bodies. The FBI began developing a case management software system called the Virtual Case File (VCF) in 2000 but eventually abandoned the project in April 2005. The estimated cost of this project was over $170 million. In 2000, congress allocated almost $340 million for the proposed FBI Information Technology Upgrade Project (FITUP) that was soon divided into three parts and renamed TRILOGY. This project was scheduled three years including an enterprise-wide upgrade of desktop hardware and software plus the implementation of a more modern and secure network. Also, a VCF system would include a case management system, an evidence management system and a records management that would replace the FBI’s antiquated case management system which limited the FBI’s ability to carry out its mission effectively
INTRODUCTION
Managing information technology (IT) projects continues to be an ongoing challenge for many organizations worldwide. What is most humbling about this story of a software project begun with the best of intentions, and developed over years by a top, well-known firm, despite its best efforts, did not make the grade, and this is not uncommon. Most of other projects, if they were completed at all, came
FBI AND THE VCF PROJECT
Michael Muller, Clarissa Francis, Tolulope Akinyemi 11/16/2012
ABSTRACT
This study is about failure---more specifically, failure in the software industry. Failure is an attractive subject because everyone experiences it, allowing people to understand on a personal level what will work in business----and won’t. Failure is also a concept that is difficult to define, as there are many different academic opinions on the subject. The aim of this study is to take a look at notable failures in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) software sector, and draw lessons from them, looking at the factors that caused the project to fail. This case was very public, involving not only corporations but also governmental bodies. The FBI began developing a case management software system called the Virtual Case File (VCF) in 2000 but eventually abandoned the project in April 2005. The estimated cost of this project was over $170 million. In 2000, congress allocated almost $340 million for the proposed FBI Information Technology Upgrade Project (FITUP) that was soon divided into three parts and renamed TRILOGY. This project was scheduled three years including an enterprise-wide upgrade of desktop hardware and software plus the implementation of a more modern and secure network. Also, a VCF system would include a case management system, an evidence management system and a records management that would replace the FBI’s antiquated case management system which limited the FBI’s ability to carry out its mission effectively
INTRODUCTION
Managing information technology (IT) projects continues to be an ongoing challenge for many organizations worldwide. What is most humbling about this story of a software project begun with the best of intentions, and developed over years by a top, well-known firm, despite its best efforts, did not make the grade, and this is not uncommon. Most of other projects, if they were completed at all, came
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