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U.S. government is tops in IT spending – but with how much waste?

Released: 
March 24, 2013

The U.S. government spends $74 billion on information technology, but a quarter of funded programs have “serious management issues.”

The United States government spends more on information technology than any other country, but one quarter of IT programs are said to have “serious management issues,” including duplication and cost overruns.

The Office of Management and Budget estimates government IT spending at $74 billion, not counting the legislative or judicial branches -- or dozens of independent executive branch agencies.

OMB says one quarter of the government's major IT programs (representing 32% of budgeted dollars) are in serious management trouble. $54 billion goes to operations and maintenance, $20 billion to development and acquisition.

Check out our infographic for more on government IT spending. See "What Do Others Say?" for more views, then add to the discussion below. Does new information technology lead to more efficient government? Should government invest in the latest tech trends?