More on the CalPADS woes

February 19, 2010 dave Education

John Fensterwald has more details on the issues with the CalPADS system I posted about earlier this week.

Among the findings:

• There are quality defects in the system software, custom software, database and hardware architecture elements.
• On the Department of Education side, there is a “distinct lack of technical leadership and engineering resources,” resulting in IBM making decisions on its own with “little transparency and oversight.” The contractor project manager is filling too many other roles; managing the project demands full attention.
• Engineering processes – patching software, releasing new software versions, responding to errors – are “ad hoc, chaotic” and often undocumented. IBM “bears much responsibility” for the disorganized procedures, the report said, but the state and the outside project managers failed to keep IBM to account.

Among the recommendations beyond an immediate full-scale review:

• Clarify roles among the project manager, the Department of Education and vendors, to stop confusion and inefficiency;
• Standardize procedures so that responses are less reactive and more thoughtful;
• Hire more oversight staff with technical expertise.

The state will spend tens of millions of dollars on CALPADS between building the system and training district staff on using it (cost estimates differ). IBM and partners are to be paid $15 million for their work.

Here is the full consultant report that led to the temporary shutdown of the project courtesy of John.

Let’s outlaw ‘It’s for the kids’ A sure sign the end of higher education is near