Acknowledgments

Since the passage of the Clinger-Cohen Act in 1996, many talented and dedicated civil servants and contractors have worked diligently to understand, embrace, and support its implementation. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Office of Management and Budget (OMB), agency, and contractor personnel have worked to develop and implement information technology capital planning and investment control, enterprise architecture, security assessment, and other related processes. We have been privileged to work with them, learn from them, train them, and help them along the way. The presidents, senators, and representatives who have served over the past decade can never know or fully appreciate the dedication and commitment of those who serve the cause of improving and reforming information technology management practices. We express our sincere gratitude for the efforts of all those who have toiled in relative obscurity to make a difference.

Special thanks are extended to Sandra McGill and her team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and her predecessor, Brenda White. Whether they accept their due praise or not, they made substantial progress. The Social Security Administration’s Capital Planning and Investment Control team, including Alan Deckard and Andy Berry, and their training coordinator, Beth Walker, are to be commended for their continuing commitment to meeting OMB requirements. Frederick Meyer, Robert Lagas, Carl Metzger, and Mark Raiffa influenced our thinking and kept us motivated, and we are grateful for their contributions. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Charles Ehart, Stephen Hampton, Barbara Sabur, and Michele Sousa for their professionalism, friendship, and excellent technical support.

There are many others whose names are not mentioned, but who have made important and lasting contributions. To all who have worked with us over the past decade in an attempt to make a difference, we extend our gratitude and appreciation.

Writing a book is no small feat, as we learned in this endeavor. We thank the members of the Management Concepts team, who did not lose faith even though this book was delivered well beyond our original time frame. Jack Knowles and Myra Strauss were very helpful in discussing potential topics and encouraging the writing of this book, and in providing ongoing support through the writing and publication process.