Press Releases

OGC sponsors Senior Forum on major Government IT projects

The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has today announced that it is sponsoring a senior forum between Government and the IT industry as part of the Government's response to its recent report on major Government IT projects.

The forum, established with Computing Services and Software Association (CSSA), will provide a mechanism for identifying and improving standards of IT projects across Government. It will further allow Government and the IT industry to discuss the processes through which contracts are placed and projects are delivered, to eliminate systemic problems and increase the probability of mutual success.

Peter Gershon, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce who will chair the forum said:

"It is crucial that we raise awareness across the whole sector in relation to both the acquisition and implementation of government IT projects. There are important lessons to be learned across the whole area of government and the IT industry and we must identify the right standards and best practice needed to implement future government IT projects.

"I am confident that this forum will provide a focus for identifying the right government/IT industry processes.

John Higgins, CSSA's Director General warmly welcomed the launch of the forum. He commented:

"Public services are becoming ever more dependant on the successful application of information technology. The industry and its association are pleased that their report 'Getting it Right for Government' has been well received by Government. We look forward to participating fully in the forum and making a real contribution to the shared key aims."

E-envoy Alex Allan said:

"I welcome the launch of this joint government and Industry forum by the Office of Government Commerce and the Computing Services and Software Association (CSSA). Our recent report "Successful IT - Modernising Government in Action" set out a comprehensive package of 30 recommendations that aim to ensure that all government IT projects are as good as the best. This forum will provide a useful means where industry and government can address the systemic and process problems related to the acquisition and implementation of government projects that have an IT element".

The five key aims of the Senior Forum are:

• to establish a vehicle across the major government IT projects arena for raising, discussing and addressing joint issues associated with the acquisition and implementation of government IT projects;
• to agree a joint approach to the resolution of joint issues which can be supported and implemented by all relevant parties;
• to promote and raise the awareness of joint issues and other initiatives that affect government IT projects
• to provide a focus for feedback to those responsible for resolving joint issues or the supporting government/IT industry processes which affect or are affected by their resolution;
• to assist in informing both government and IT industry best practice, standards and procedures deployed across the major government IT projects area.

The Forum will comprise an equal number of representatives from Government departments and agencies, and IT industry suppliers with an interest in public sector projects.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Senior Forum is led and co-ordinated by the Office of Government Commerce, supported by the Computing Services and Software Association. The first panel discussion will be chaired by Peter Gershon today at CSSA's headquarters at 20 Red Lion Street, London W1R 4QN. This is the first of a number of Senior Forum meetings that will be held to take forward the Government's publication "Successful IT: Modernising Government in Action" and "Getting IT Right for Government"

2. The responsibilities of Senior Forum members are :

• to contribute through attendance at and participation in the Senior Forum, to its aims as set out above;
• to be jointly responsible with all other members for the management of issues lodged with the Senior Forum including their resolution;
• to promulgate within the members' own areas of influence/authority the current status of joint Government/IT industry activity as established through the Senior Forum

3. Press Enquiries to Malcolm Graves on 020 7211 1366 or to the OGC's website at www.ogc.gov.uk

4. Press Enquiries to CCSA to Alex Quinn on 020 7395 6731 or to their website at www.cssa.co.uk