Intellect, the UK hi-tech industry suppliers’
association, has strengthened its code of best practice with the
addition of a new compliance mechanism.
The code was initially launched last year in an effort to
improve the success rate of public sector IT projects.
The new compliance mechanism, accompanied by revised guidelines,
allows suppliers to demonstrate how they intend to implement the
code and allows users to assess suppliers' behaviour against the
code's 10 commitments.
John Higgins, Intellect director general, said, "Both government
and industry have been criticised in the past for IT project
failures. The development of this compliance mechanism is proof
that we’ve not been sitting idly by.
"We are committed to maintaining the pace of reform, to
improving the relationship between government and industry, and
ensuring the implementation of public services based on value for
money."
Higgins said, "Companies who adopt this code are confirming that
they are committed to providing higher levels of service and
project implementation. The new compliance mechanism is another
step forward in reforming supplier and customer behaviour. It
raises the bar and establishes new benchmarks."
Higgins said Intellect and the government were committed to
"vigorously embedding" the new code across industry and government
departments. Intellect will work closely with the e-government unit
to ensure this takes place, he said.
Commenting on the new compliance mechanism, John Oughton, Office
of Government Commerce (OGC) chief executive, said, "The public
sector is a complex environment and delivering successfully is not
easy.
"We welcome the new compliance mechanism, and are confident that
it will have a positive impact on the delivery of ICT
projects."