The UK government's technology acquisition procedures minimize the technical risks involved.
The latest report from the National Audit Office criticizes the lack of organization and the hasty execution of projects.
The UK's National Audit Office has pointed out that the government's strategy for procuring technology suppliers requires a centralized reform. The current approach results in billions of pounds in spending for taxpayers and leaves the country's infrastructure outdated by over three decades.
A recent report highlights that the government has been mismanaging its technology procurement processes by failing to properly assess technical risks, leading to inflated budgets and delays in the implementation of various projects. This analysis includes the evaluation of initiatives such as the National Law Enforcement Data Service and the Universal Credit benefits system, resulting in a cumulative cost exceeding £3 billion, in addition to a significant loss in terms of modernization.
The NAO criticizes that the pipeline of project proposals to contract award does not function effectively for digital programs. Various departments can present investment cases without conducting a thorough assessment of technical feasibility, exacerbating the problem. The lack of centralized guidelines also contributes to limited technical evaluation of contracts, underestimating the associated technical risks. The complexities that arise after contract signing are often so significant that they cannot be resolved through amendments to the agreements.
Moreover, there has been a rush to meet delivery deadlines on projects, leading to the rapid awarding of contracts without considering the complexities of the existing environment. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, has concurred on the need for reforms in the system. He noted that digital commercial skills are scarce and that the government is not adequately leveraging the limited expertise available. Clifton-Brown has also called for a unified strategic approach to interaction with suppliers, warning that without clear direction and an appropriate strategy for the digital age, the government risks wasting more resources and missing the opportunity to modernize the public sector.
