Module 2: What Can I Do?

What can I do to help develop an information system in my workplace? I work for the State of Utah, so nothing changes with technology without the consent of bureaucrats. My department has a specific person in charge of software management and trouble shooting, but she can't change anything in the software without wsriting a proposal to the department head. The only thing I have found so far is to keep a log of software malfunctions and issues. I call and email my issues to the software management person, and usually my issues are easily resolved.

Recently, I had an issue with a form in our software program. The form is a patient specific auto-filled form. I choose the patient, and choose a link to create the form for the patient. The form is supposed to generate with the patient information on top and my contact information on the bottom. I actually have many forms that are generated patient specific, but I only have a problem with this particular form. The form does not auto-fill my contact information, and does not let me manually enter my contact information. I emailed our software management person, and she did not respond. Two weeks later, I called her about it. I again explained the problem, and she said she would look into it. That was a month ago, and I still have not heard any resolution. The form still does not print my information.

I know it is hard to grasp the situation without seeing the program or the form, sorry. I am not really a good story teller. My plan is to continue to document and report computer issues, both to the software manager and my department manager. I hope my information helps improve the State of Utah software system. Unfortunately, I imagine by the time any repair is approved by department heads, the issue will be a moot point. Fatalistic, I know, but if you have worked in government before, you may understand.