§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is a case for increased oversight and scrutiny of government information technology projects, in particular reference projects subject to significant variations in the original contract or price. [HL4655]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe Government recognise the importance of effective oversight and scrutiny of information technology projects, and have introduced a range of measures consistently reinforcing this principle.
These include the OGC Gateway Review process, the Embedding Centres of Excellence Programme, Mission Critical reporting, the establishment of a ministerial committee on electronic service delivery and the mandatory application of the NAO/OGC list of common causes of project failure to major acquisition-based projects.
There is on-going oversight and scrutiny of all major government IT projects, underpinned by expert support and assurance as required.
62WA
§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether adequate controls are in place to guarantee proper accountability and transparency in the procurement and management of government information technology projects. [HL4656]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe accountability of Government IT projects is, in the first instance, determined by internal departmental controls.
Externally, the National Audit Office independently undertakes additional assurance, through its value for money work, to determine the degree to which IT and non-IT projects have met and/or are meeting stated aims within specified efficiency and effectiveness criteria. The NAO's reports and recommendations are publicly available.
The Government believe that these measures are adequate to guarantee proper accountability and transparency in the procurement and management of information technology projects.