The Treasury has hired the former chief executive of
Logica in an attempt to tackle the government's record of
over-spending on IT projects.
Martin Read, who left Logica last year, will carry out a review
of the public sector's £13bn annual spend on IT schemes. The
Treasury hopes he will find ways to improve success rates.
The government has repeatedly gone over-budget on IT projects
since Labour came to power ten years ago,
costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds with
ill-planned computing programmes, say critics.
Read's review will look at the challenges posed by national IT
programmes where IT systems need to be compatible across the
country. The
Treasury said, "Lessons should be learned such as keeping
dedicated teams on projects from start to finish involving people
with relevant practical experience of delivery at decision-making
level and not being afraid to abandon a project just because it has
high-level backing."
Read's work will be part of a government-wide efficiency
programme which is due to produce a final report at next year's
Budget. Other business-leaders will be appointed to look at areas
such as how the government can make better use of its collective
buying power.
He said, "I am pleased to be involved in this programme and to
be leading the work on back office and IT services. These services
form a vital part of any modern organisation. The private sector
has made significant strides forward in this area in recent years
and my work will examine the scope for the public sector to benefit
from this experience, in order to deliver further efficiencies over
the coming period."