IT Projects
A number of high profile public sector IT contracts have experienced setbacks in recent years, attracting negative media attention. However, there are a number of factors which make public sector IT projects particularly complex.
The large scale of many public sector IT projects is a major contributing factor - few private sector IT projects are of comparable size. The nature of public sector IT projects also means that the diversity of users is broader than for most private sector IT projects. Therefore, it can be difficult to assess user needs and preferences, making system requirements harder to predict. In addition, there may be no precedent for public sector IT projects, so the process of commissioning and developing new systems can be particularly challenging.
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The National Programme for IT in the NHS: Progress since 2006 (PDF) Burr, Tim,, 2008 National Audit Office The National Programme for IT in the NHS is designed to reform the way the NHS uses information by deploying systems to a highly devolved NHS, thereby improving services and reducing costs. This progress report, divided into two volumes, evaluates the progress made in terms of implementation of the Programme and realisation of benefits, including the challenges that must be managed for the successful delivery of the Programme. The first volume presents the NAO's main findings, as well as conclusions and recommendations. The second volume provides details of each of the main components of the Programme. 9780102954128 UK
Delivering Successful IT-Enabled Business Change (PDF) House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2007 The Stationery Office The PAC makes recommendations on the Government's strategy for delivering IT-enabled public services based on evidence from the Office of Government Commerce and the Cabinet Office on applying the lessons from successful projects, the need to set standards for capacity and competence and the value of openness in reporting on projects. UK
Delivering Successful IT-Enabled Business Change (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2006 The Stationery Office Lessons are drawn from 24 case studies of succesful IT projects implemented within the public and private sector. HC 33-I Session 2006-2007 UK
Delivering Successful IT-Enabled Business Change: Case Studies of Success (PDF) National Audit Office (NAO), 2006 The Stationery Office Case studies for above report. HC 33-II Session 2006-2007 UK
New IT Systems for Magistrates' Courts: The Libra Project (Web Page) House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2003
Following the NAO report (below), PAC concludes the department ran a poor competition and failed to take action when the contractor did not deliver.
HC 434 UK
New IT Systems for Magistrate's Courts: the Libra Project (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2003
The Stationery Office
PPP in Practice: National Savings and Investments' Deal with Siemens Business Services, Four Years On (Report) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2003
The Stationery Office
Public Private Partnerships: Airwave (Web Page)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2002
The Stationery Office
Response to the NAO report (below). The committee also considered the use of a "clawback" clause that would have allowed the Home Office to share the gains accrued from further partners coming on board after negotiations had ended, such as the Fire and Ambulance Services.
Public Private Partnerships: Airwave (Report) (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2002
The Stationery Office
The Radiocommunications Agency's Joint Venture with CMG (PDF)
National Audit Office, 2001
The Stationery Office
First Byte: Consortium IT Contracting in the Western Australian Public Sector (PDF)
Auditor General, Western Australia, 2001
Evaluation of two major consortia IT contracts that were made as part of the state government's outsourcing program in the mid-1990's. Performance was found to have suffered from an absence of effective monitoring and management systems once the contract commenced.
The Cancellation of the Benefits Payment Card Project (Web Page)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2001
The Stationery Office
Report of committee following NAO reivew in 2000 (see below). Recognises failure of purchasers to properly weigh risks of pioneering PFI project which was designed to join up systems of two purchasers with differing business objective.
The Cancellation of the Benefits Payment Card Project (PDF)
National Audit Office, 2000
The Stationery Office
Review of one of the first PFI IT contracts. It was jointly awarded at a cost of £1bn by the Department of Social Security and Post Offices Ltd in order to automate benefit payments and the national network of post offices responsible for the payment of benefits but failed to meet its objectives and the report looks especially at the management of risk.
Implementation of Whole-of-Government Information Technology Infrastructure Consolidation and Outsourcing Initiative (PDF)
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO), 2000
A review of the administrative and financial effectiveness in implementing the Australian government's IT initiative to join up services across different agencies. The audit focuses on the four tenders which resulted in executed agreements.
The Private Finance Initiative: The Contract for the Defence Fixed Telecommunications System. (Web Page)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2000
The Stationery Office
Following NAO report from 2000, PAC advocates use of flexible contracts in fast changing sectors such as technology as well as managing contract effectively to maintain value for money.
The Private Finance Initiative: The Contract for the Defence Fixed Telecommunications System (PDF)
National Audit Office (NAO), 2000
The Stationery Office
The audit reports that the MoD paid a good price for the 10 year PFI deal for fixed telecommunications system. However, the department should have more closely assessed the scope of the project to maximise value for money and better use should have been made of external advice.
Home Office: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Casework Programme (Web Page)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 1999
The Stationery Office
Home Office: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Casework Programme (Web Page)
National Audit Office, 1999
The Stationery Office
Summary of recommendations. For more details see PAC report above.
Department of Veterans' Affairs: Management of IT Outsourcing
Australian National Audit Office Department of Veterans' Affairs , 1996
Review of the management of a fixed price contract to outsource the DVA's data centre in Sydney, specifically with regard to the management of contractual arrangements.