The Anchorage Assembly last week approved more money for the city's beleaguered update to its business software. The budget now surpasses $81 million — more than 10 times as much as the administration of former Mayor Dan Sullivan initially estimated.
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz briefly halted the project after taking office. After a review, his administration decided to try to salvage it.
The city's SAP saga dates back to 2011. It's been marked by cost overruns, poor leadership and project management, staffing shortages and missed deadlines.
Here's some of the history, told through Alaska Dispatch News archives.
2011
The SAP project launches with a $10.6 million budget and a 2012 "go-live" date.
2013
In April, signs of trouble: Software to automate city government behind schedule; costs are rising
August: City pushes back software project launch date
October: City plans $7.5 million in additional spending on software project
2014
In the next year, Anchorage Assembly members started to raise alarm bells.
August: Municipality of Anchorage again delays launch of software system
September: Task of fixing troubled software project falls to new Anchorage CFO Kate Giard
October: Assembly members press for external audit of SAP
Later that month: Anchorage Assembly approves an external audit of the SAP project
2015
In February: Reviews conclude Anchorage's troubled software upgrade should move ahead
In March: Anchorage IT director and mayoral candidate critical of city data system revamp
May: City's troubled SAP project plans move to Sunshine Plaza building downtown
July: Mayor Ethan Berkowitz takes office, replacing Sullivan.
August: With tens of millions spent so far, Berkowitz to press 'pause' on troubled software project
October: Anchorage's troubled SAP project to continue under Berkowitz
2016
March: Anchorage hires former IBM executive as SAP project manager
2017
March: $40 million spent so far on city software project has had 'no measurable benefit,' mayor says
July: Anchorage Assembly reluctantly gives more money to $81 million software project