`IT Dashboard' - that's the name of a new set of online tools introduced on Tuesday by the Obama administration, for keeping track of and evaluating the federal government's annual expenditure of over $70 billion on information technology projects!

According to the administration officials, the technology-tracking dashboard - which would be a part of the `USASpending.gov' Web site for scrutinizing government spending - was a momentous move in the direction of fostering increased openness and answerability in government. The site would present a graphical depiction of total expenditure on computer hardware, software and services.

In addition, the IT Dashboard would work as a model for some other similar `tools' that would enable the public to analyze other expenditure, such as the monitoring of the dollars in the economic recovery package.

In fact, IT Dashboard will essentially drill down on IT spending for as many as 27 agencies - including the Department of Defense; the Department of Homeland Security; NASA; and the Smithsonian Institution. The new `tools' would provide a comprehensive account pertaining to allocation of federal funds; spending of the funds; and execution of various tech projects.

Talking about IT Dashboard, Vivek Kundra - the government's Chief Information Officer - said: "What the Obama administration is committed to is laying a new foundation when it comes to transparency, accountability and responsibility - especially when you look at how we manage IT investments."