应对 2000 年挑战：当今的教训

Year 2000 Challenge (Y2K): Easy to describe but not simple to solve. In early computer programming, using two digits to identify years saved space. But financial, industrial, and government agencies used old systems, creating "legacy code" everywhere. By the 1990s, experts worried about major failures. President Bill Clinton chose John Koskinen to coordinate the government's work.
Command Center during Y2K: Details not provided.
Lessons Learned:
- Coordination: Set up the "President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion" with all relevant agencies. Visited each cabinet secretary and agency head. Discussed areas outside the federal government with a full afternoon retreat.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Convince national groups in 25 areas to form partnerships with the federal government. Overcome challenges like lawyers' concerns about anti-trust laws. Get liability limiting legislation passed.
- Focus from the Top: Hold meetings with National Governors Association and invite state Y2K coordinators. Encourage senior leadership groups to ask about Y2K progress.
- Avoiding Public Panic: Issue public progress reports quarterly. Develop "Community Conversations" for local leaders to discuss the problem.
- Global Coordination: Visit the UN to discuss the approach. Invite UN member countries to a meeting. Form a committee of Y2K leaders from around the world.
Was There Really a Problem?: Despite some significant failures on New Year's Eve, the view that it was an overreaction didn't reflect the danger. Those involved didn't think their time and money were wasted.
Future Applications: Organize working groups, provide federal leadership, speak with one voice, and have a global response for future crisis situations.