(Billnote: While not related the year 2000 problem, the following is included because it provides quick insight into one of the major problems with any computer software renovation project: It's called"time-slippage"; the tendency of most computer projects to be behind schedule and over cost. Year 2000 computer projects - whether on large computer systems or the one at your house - are surprisingly complicated for such an apparently simple problem. In general, they take longer than people think they will. Most companies, government agencies - on all levels - organizations in general, got a very late start on their y2k projects. Those projects are at least as susceptible to "time-slippage" as any other. All large y2k projects should have been completed by the end of 1998 to allow a solid year of testing. Most weren't. All small and medium-sized businesses/organizations should be well into their projects by now. How's far along is your y2k project coming along, or that of the company or organization you work with? It's important to know...)

DMV's computer project behind schedule
ASSOCIATED PRESS
February 19, 1999

SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Motor Vehicles' latest computer project is running behind schedule with no end in sight, a continuation of the agency's persistent and costly computer problems, according to a published report. The recent technical glitch by the department follows a series of expensive automation failures in state agencies that have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, the San Francisco Chronicle reported yesterday.

"It seems somewhat anomalous that the state which leads in private-sector creation of computers is the state most behind in employing this technology to improve the quality of state services," said Senator John Vasconcellos, D-Santa Clara. The Department of Motor Vehicles' computer difficulties have existed for years.

The department's overhaul of enormous vehicle registration and driver's license databases in 1987 was supposed to take five years to finish and cost $27 million. By 1994 the department had axed the project at a total cost of $50 million.

In December, the department replaced the mini-computers in its regional offices. Now, it faces the task of reprograming the mainframes that house the department's driver and vehicle database, the newspaper said.

The department is unable to say when that will be completed, according to the legislative analyst's review of Gov. Gray Davis' budget. The department also failed to meet its periodic and self-imposed deadlines for the project.

DMV officials told the newspaper they're going slowly for a reason. "The undertaking by the department is massive, and given the difficulties of the past, we believe a deliberative approach is preferable over a high-risk, fast-paced approach," the department said.

Copyright 1999 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.

X-URL-Title: The San Diego Union-Tribune

http://www.uniontrib.com/news/uniontrib/fri/index.html

-- Bill (billdale@lakesnet.net), February 20, 1999