 The report urges public sector bosses to get more involved |
The National Audit Office has outlined ways in which bosses can avoid a repeat of the glitches that have plagued some recent government computer projects. Its findings come after a series of high-profile delays involving public sector IT schemes.
These include the �6.2bn upgrading of NHS computer networks, as well as a new IT system for the Child Support Agency.
It says public sector bosses need to show more leadership in such projects, but it also points to good examples.
'Greater stewardship'
The National Audit Office's report is entitled Delivering Successful IT-Enabled Business Change.
It says government departments, local authorities and other public bodies should ask themselves a number of key questions before authorising a new computer project.
The nine questions include whether the public body in question can ensure effective leadership of a new IT project, how clear it is about what new system it requires, and what benefits it will bring.
"Many of our recommendations focus on the need for greater stewardship and accountability within individual government departments and across Whitehall more generally," says the report.
It also highlights what it sees as a need for greater public transparency.
Despite the problems with new NHS computer networks and the well-publicised difficulties at the Child Support Agency, the National Audit Office points to 24 examples of good practice.
These range from the introduction of the Oyster card system on public transport in London, the National Transplant Database and the Pension Service's Pension Credit system.
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