Whitehall boosts public sector IT plans

The government and the IT industry have launched a range of measures to improve the success rate of public sector IT projects.

The guidelines devised by supplier trade body Intellect and purchasing agency the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) include a code of conduct for suppliers dealing with government, a service where public sector buyers can check the technical feasibility of an idea, and practical guidelines for partnering arrangements.

'The public sector has a chequered history of delivering successful IT-based programmes,' said OGC chief executive Peter Gershon.

'These measures get to the heart of some of the key issues which have inhibited success.'

The code of conduct is a world first, says Intellect director general John Higgins.

'It is a statement of the best practice that the public sector can expect and already a number of companies have publicly committed to its adoption,' he said.

The code lays out 10 commitments before and after contract signature. Fifteen major suppliers including EDS, IBM and Fujitsu have already signed up to it.

Gershon says the plan is to create a system where government can discuss ideas with the industry without giving undue favour to any individual company.

The ultimate test will be whether it improves the success rate of public sector IT programmes, he says.

'It could also be measured in terms of a reduction in the number of times government goes to market and is surprised, either because bids come in too high or are not fully compliant,' said Gershon.

'If we have a better quality of engagement up front we could see much higher level of client expectation being matched by the reality of what industry actually bids.'