Public sector IT not all bad

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The public sector needs to show off its IT successes, the British Computer Society (BCS) has said.

Public sector IT projects are often publicised for their failures. Delays, high costs and errors have lead to criticism of the NHS national programme, while the ID card project has been called intrusive and - again - too expensive.

Reports by the National Audit Office and parliament's Public Accounts Committee have frequently slammed IT projects, including those relating to JobCentre Plus, the Asset Recovery Agency and the Child Support Agency - which was dubbed a "turkey from day one."

And, the Government itself has been called out for failing to understand the internet.

To help raise the profile of IT wins - including early warnings for floods, vehicle tracking and mobile working - the BCS has published details of its top-ranking public sector projects.

"These projects have proved their worth in the returns they have offered their communities and the professionalism with which they have been implemented," Elizabeth Sparrow, vice president of BCS external relations, said. "They offer examples of government programmes that both nationally and locally are introducing IT systems that offer citizens efficient, innovative and, above all, useful services."

According to the BCS, other top ranking projects include a car share scheme from the Environment Agency, the National Assembly of Wales' new website, and Newcastle City Council's mobile working programme.

They also included Northumbria's 101 partnership - a centralised services contact number - and Rotherham's modernisation moves, as well as West Sussex's accessible services plans. To round out the rankings, they praised the Ministry of Defence's Business Learning programme and the computerisation of the Ministry of Transport's certification programme.

Sparrow said: "The examples we've collected appear to share several characteristics including excellent project and relationship management - and it is the latter that appears to be essential in ensuring success."

For more details on the praised projects, download the BCS report here.

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