Slowly slowly catchee Government IT monkey
By Davey Winder in Editorial
Posted in Data Protection, Security on
Given that the fallout from the HMRC game of who wants some confidential data today is still with us, perhaps this is not the best time to be sending out press releases arguing that ICT suppliers must play a crucial role in modernising the welfare system and social services. The government record on implementing massive IT programmes is, well, typical of what happens on any scale when bean counters and politicians (which you can substitute for non-IT-savvy and without strategic vision management as the situation demands) are in charge of such things. Do I really need to shout the roll call of dishonour when it comes to hugely over-budget and under-performing systems, inadequate security and a blatant disregard for basic data protection requirements? No, didn’t think so.
However, the existing system is struggling to deliver complex programmes of benefits and care, a situation made more difficult by the diversity of providers. According to the focus of that press release previously mentioned, a report called ‘Technology and the transformation of social protection‘ which has been published today by Kable, the key issue for the government is to push through reform more quickly in areas such as children’s services, welfare and pensions. The report identifies three phases of challenges for the next decade. Over the next two years the priorities are to eliminate inefficiencies, reach client groups more effectively, standardise more processes and exchanges of information, and make the system more system for clients. Over the next five years there is a need to develop more flexible systems and processes, providing faster responses to changing client circumstances. It is also necessary to increase the options for delivering services and improve cooperation between participants, including the sharing of information and casework. Over 10 years success depends on creating a more responsive and adaptable system able to take preventative action, and develop more programmes for small groups of clients. This should involve a diverse mix of providers and more personalised services.
While I agree with Kable associate director Seyi Agboola when he says “It is pretty clear from the Comprehensive Spending Review that the government’s ambitious aspirations for the welfare system are not going to be achieved by throwing money around. Smarter use of information and communications technology is not just about improving efficiency, it is also about finding new ways to reach the most vulnerable and the most needy - those that the system finds most difficult to help.” The bit about ‘pushing reform through more quickly’ concerns me. Surely it has been the notion of pushing things through quickly, without the proper due diligence with regards to strategic planning and testing, that has led to the problems we are facing with IT project implementations today.
I would have thought that the government needs to forget about headline grabbing, vote winning spin for a bit and concentrate on doing what it, what any government for that matter, is elected for: making life better for the citizen. As far as the use of IT in this regard, more time is needed to ensure it is done properly not less time to ensure it is done quickly…
Rated: 100% (2 votes)
Loading ...Comment by Paul W - December 10, 2007 on 11:24 am
I would go further and take a review into the areas of Data Management. I would look at reorganizing the priorities of Confidentiality, Availability and Integrity so that they read something like: Risk and Exposure Assessment, Vulnerability Testing and then underpin those with CIA, digital intelligence analysis and having a forensic capability. See HMRC podcast at http://securitypodcasts.itproportal.com/
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