Dr. Danny Harris

Why so many Federal IT Contracts Fail and what to do about it

Submitted by on Thu, 02/16/2023 - 14:50

A percentage of this goes toward new projects, or what we now refer to as digital transformation. Policy makers in Washington would argue that far too many of these new projects fail, and few would argue with that assessment (though I’d be remiss if I did not also note that lots of government IT projects succeed). Why is that, and what can be done about it?

What Systems Modernization really means for Federal Government Leadership

Submitted by on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 18:26

In 2017, the Modernizing Government Technology Act authorized the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). The funding is slated for the replacement of federal mission-critical systems that were either end-of-life or in dire need of modernization. Federal agencies have lined up to take advantage of what would be a shot in the arm in terms of funding required to replace their ailing systems.

Dr. Danny Harris

Submitted by on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 15:37

Dr. Danny Harris was formerly the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department of Education from 2008 to 2016. As the CIO, he maintained all of the department's mission critical information system resources. This included managing the department's information assurance program and capital planning and investment management processes. He also deployed and maintained all enterprise-wide information technology and managed the agency's participation and implementation of Federal CIO Council.

Dr. Danny Harris was formerly the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department of Education from 2008 to 2016. As the CIO, he maintained all of the department's mission critical information system resources. This included managing the department's information assurance program and capital planning and investment management processes. He also deployed and maintained all enterprise-wide information technology and managed the agency's participation and implementation of Federal CIO Council.

Prior to becoming the CIO, Dr. Harris served as the Deputy CFO. He oversaw financial management, internal control and audit resolution, financial systems, contracts and procurement, and grants policy issues. Dr. Harris managed the development and maintenance of an integrated financial management system and the business functions supported by this platform. He supported staff responsible for ensuring department funds are spent appropriately, and staff responsible for the department's daily financial operations.

Prior to becoming Deputy CFO, Dr. Harris served as Director, Financial Systems Operations in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Education since September 1998. He managed the Department's multi-million dollar integrated Federal Financial Management Platform called Education's Central Automated Processing Systems (EDCAPS). The EDCAPS system incorporates five of the Department's most mission critical applications (Contracts and Purchasing, Grant Award and Payments, Accounting/General Ledger, Travel Manager, and Promissory Note business functions). In addition, Dr. Harris served as chair of the government-wide Financial Management Line of Business (FMLoB), Financial Systems Integration Office (FSIO) Transformation Team.

Previously, Dr. Harris was Acting Director of Financial Management Operations (FMO), managing the flow of data from the Department's more that 200 appropriations, and responsible for the timely submission of standard federal reports and administering the SGL and department-specific accounting policies and procedures.

Dr. Harris began his career at the U.S. Department of Education as a computer analyst. He the  moved on to the Secretary's Office working as a Policy Analyst, coordinating IT and other activities for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary surrounding Education policy issues.

Dr. Harris has served on the Board of Advisors for the Information Technology (IT) Department at the College of Southern Maryland from 1994 to present. He is also currently an adjunct professor at Howard University, teaching courses in Computer Technology. Prior to his tenure at Howard University, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses at George Mason University, in disciplines such as Organizational Communications Management, Research Methodology and Design.

A native of North Carolina, Dr. Harris holds a B.A. in Communications from North Carolina A&T State University, and an M.A. and PhD. in Organizational Management from Howard University.