HD7 - Feasibility of Developing a Standard Software Package for Local Governments (HJR 130, 2010)


Executive Summary:
In order to collect the largest amount of data possible in a limited amount of time, the Working Group opted to develop a custom assessment (see Appendix One for assessment and summary results) designed to capture information about “how” local government entities plan for, procure, and perform day-to-day IT functions. The instrument was administered online (using SurveyMonkey) and promoted through VML, VACO, and VALGITE.

Specifically, the work group wanted to examine the challenges and opportunities associated with the IT procurement process and to determine areas of commonality across unmet needs and to assess the level of interest surrounding possible collaboration with state resources and assets. Beyond the legislative mandate, the work group sought to identify opportunities where creative resources, strategies, projects, and/or policy initiatives that, if brought to fruition, would ease the economic and/or human capital requirements of IT deployment.

During the course of the year, the work group collaborated to develop the findings of this report which represent an “honest” representation of how local government entities manage IT operations, and a first-generation list of topic-specific resources, initiatives, and recommendations that can provide the basis for future IT collaborations in the Commonwealth.