Office of Personnel Management IT Strategy Focuses on Legacy Systems

Guy Cavallo, the Office of Personnel Management’s chief information officer, explained that his organization’s new information technology strategy is intended to reconcile its development pace and legacy technology debt. Released in May, OPM’s IT plan for fiscal years 2023 to 2026 is the first to be released since 2014.

According to the plan, OPM’s legacy technology debt has hindered its ability to achieve broad modernization goals.

The agency said it plans to field a digital retirement system with electronic records and online application options to move away from an existing paper-based system.

The strategy also requires OPM to transition all legacy software away from the current computing environment. Such applications will need to be reprogrammed in the process.

In addition, the agency is looking to overhaul its website and technology for its federal employee health benefits systems. OPM wants to introduce artificial intelligence to tailor searches by job applicants.

Other priorities include strengthening cybersecurity, implementing modernized IT procurement processes and investing in the cyber workforce, Nextgov/FCW reported.