The Examination and Certification Online System (ECOS) IT project should require quarterly reports to the Legislature due to its extended timeline and increased cost, the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO) recommended on Monday.
The ECOS project will integrate seven legacy systems involved in the state’s hiring examination and certification processes.
"Ultimately it will save the state money and offer better service to the public by simplifying the exam and hiring processes for both current and prospective state employees&hellip We essentially agree with the LAO’s recommendations for enhanced oversight and a better reporting process," said Pat McConahay, spokesperson for CalHR.
The LAO recommended that the Legislature require the California Technology Agency (CTA) and the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) to jointly submit quarterly reports on the project’s progress. The reports would include whether there will be any changes to the project’s scope, schedule or budget, and whether there have been any significant problems with the project, according to the LAO’s report.
"Up to this point, the total project costs have been absorbed within CalHR’s existing resources," McConahay said. "With the extended timeline and additional resources, CalHR will still have absorbed over 80 percent of the costs by the time it’s completed."
The project was originally estimated to cost $4.7 million and be completed by August 2015, but when the project transferred from the State Personnel Board (SPB) to the Department of Human Resources (CalHR), they determined the project wouldn’t actually be completed until May 2017 with a cost of $10 million.
ECOS is a state-managed project, with support staff provided by Folsom-based Visionary Integration Professionals, according to McConahay.
