Project participants identified dozens of characteristics that they would expect to find in the “ideal” state-local information system project. These characteristics fell into four categories: objectives, project management methods, design features, and user support features.

• Objectives. The objectives of a state-local system project set the stage for all subsequent activity and evaluation. They drive all the investments of all stakeholders. Clear compelling objectives make these investments pay off.
• Management. State-local systems projects involve a variety of players in different organizations, at different levels of government, in different locations, and sometimes in both the public and private or nonprofit sectors. An ideal project management process takes all this into account.
• Design. Systems that connect state and local government usually affect work already underway in both places. Ideally, such systems integrate with processes, information flows, technologies, and staff capabilities already in place.
• Usability. State-local systems are implemented in a wide variety of organizational settings and used by staff with a range of skills and experience. The system will only be as successful as its users can make it. User support services are a key to that success.