Analysis of the Failed FBI Virtual Case File Project.

Dreitlein, Suzanne; Manzoni, John; Selvaratnam, Barbara McKinnon Alexandra; Valendra, Kinjal

The purpose of this paper is to analyze what went wrong with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Virtual Case File (VCF) project. The FBI faced issues with the time-consuming process of preparing paper copies of their investigative and intelligence information and then uploading it to the system. Instead of adapting and implementing a readily available commercial off-the-shelf product (COTS), the FBI engaged Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to develop a VCF management system. Because of the characteristics of a new system within an electronic medium, and due to a lack of real-world testing, the FBI faced numerous implementation and adoption problems related to the VCF system application. The project had to be terminated without use that resulted in a massive loss of $170 million. This paper describes several reasons for the failure of the VCF project, including a lack of defined requirements which resulted in a defective product that made it unusable. Other causes of failure identified were: a general lack of leadership, expertise, and an undefined scope.

UNITED States. Federal Bureau of Investigation; DIGITAL media; SCIENCE Applications International Corp.; ELECTRONIC equipment; PRODUCT failure

Journal of Information Technology & Economic Development, 2017, Vol 8, Issue 1, p25

2153-974X

Academic Journal