The failure of Metronet, which maintained two-thirds of the
London Underground but collapsed in July 2007, was partly due to
the poor dissemination and use of information.
A
National Audit Office (NAO) report found that poor quality of
information meant Metronet was unable to monitor costs or
performance properly.
It was also unable to provide London Underground with this
information, affecting communication between the two.
The NAO estimated the collapse of the company cost the taxpayer
between £170m and £410m.
Tubelines, the company that maintains the Jubilee, Picadilly and
Northern lines, has put a big emphasis on the efficient
management of information and its role in effectively
maintaining trains and equipment.
Director of information
John Connolly has told Computer Weekly that better quality
information about equipment will improve efficiency, because
maintenance will only be carried out when it is needed, instead of
on a regular basis.
The current system of planned maintenance means assets are
maintained whether they need it or not.
Connolly told Computer Weekly, "It is organised but not very
cost effective. We are looking at changing the business of
maintenance, using information on the performance of a product.
Manufacturers give you information on the life-time of a product,
and we will need systems that give performance information in
real-time," he says."
The NAO report on Metronet said, "The poor quality of
information available to management, particularly on the unit costs
of the station and track programmes, meant that Metronet was unable
to monitor costs and could not obtain adequate evidence to support
claims to have performed work economically and efficiently."
The poor supply of information helped to lead to poor corporate
governance and leadership, which led to the collapse of the
company.