TfL 'insources' for better, cheaper IT

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A major driver of change at TfL has been moving IT to a pay as you go (PAYG) model. Pavitt said IT was being used to prop up inefficient management. For example, supervisors unable to properly manage their staff's workload would ask IT to block distractions like Facebook. Now, such managers would have to pay to use IT in such a way.

Using a PAYG model also helped cut liscening fees. Pavitt described one department as demanding 380 users get access to an expensive application. His team happily delivered, but months later, the manager noted only 31 people were ever using it. To cut costs, the others lost access – saving £150,000 in wasted liscencing costs.

“Suddenly, the cost drivers were no longer IT but more the financial directors,” Pavitt said.

While the IT overhaul is set to finish in January or February of next year, there are still tech challenges remaining, Pavitt noted. The Olympics are fast approaching, and the Greater London Authority is also pushing for more integration between the Met Police, TfL and its own data, Pavitt said.

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